A DESCRIPTION 

OK THE 

CITY OF NE¥ YOEK: 

WITH 

A BRIEF ACCOUNT 

OF THE 

CITIES, TOWNS, VILLAGES, 

AND 

PLACES OF RESORT WITHIN THIRTY MILES 

DESIGNED AS A 

ffiuitJe for Citfjens anU SttauQers, 

TO ALL PLACES OF ATTRACTION IN THE CITY AND ITS VICINITY. 

WITH MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS, 

EDITED BY 0. L. HOLLEY. 



NEW YORK: 
PUBLISHED BY J. DISTURNELL, 

102 BROADWAY. 

1947. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1847, 

By J. DISTURNELL, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the 
Southern District of New York. 



K^A- 



INTRODUCTION. 



The contents of this work will, it is believed, 
be found to embrace every thing of general interest 
to the Citizen and Stranger, seeking information in 
respect to the great Commercial Emporium of 
the Western World, — its Situation and Extent — 
Discovery and Settlement — Population — Streets, 
Parks, and Public Buildings — Institutions — Places 
of Amusement, &c. 

Perhaps no city, on the old or new continent, has 
exceeded New York in rapid growth, as it regards 
population, wealth, and commercial importance. 
Its Institutions and Public Buildings have advanced 
commensurately with its increase in other respects ; 
and to describe them alone, fully and adequately, 
would require almost a separate volume for each. 
They have, therefore, been but briefly noticed, in 
any instance, and in many cases only named. 
Enough, however, is given to form a guide where- 
by the stranger can direct his steps to further 



4 INTRODUCTION. 

inquiry and information in reference to specific 
objects of interest and attraction. 

The Cities, Towns, Villages, and Places of 
Resort around the City of New York, are all ar- 
ranged in alphabetical order, and described in a 
brief and comprehensive manner — thus embracing 
in one volume a view of the city and the many 
objects of attraction to be found within a circuit of 
Thirty Miles. 

New York, June, 1847. 



CONTENTS 



DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY AND ISLAND OF NEW YORK :— "^ 

Situation and Extent, 9 

Discovery and Settlement, 10 

Population of the City 13 

Principal Streets and Avenues 13 

Parks and Squares : — 

The Buttery.. 16 

Bowlinfi Green, Ki 

The Park, 17 

Washinplon Sqimre, 17 

Tompkins Square, 18 

Tnion Place, 18 

Madison and Hamilton Sq via res, 19 

Hudson Square, or St. John's Park, 19 

Gra mercy Park, 19 

Principal Public Buildings : — 

City Hall, 20 

New City Hall, 21 

Rotunda, 22 

Hall of Records, 22 

Halls of Justice, 23 

House of Refuge, 23 

Merchants' Exchange, 24 

Custom House, 25 

New York Hospital, 23 

New Aims House, 26 

City Penitentiary, 27 

City Lunatic Asylum, 27 

Hloouiiiisrdale Asylum for the Insane, 27 

Deaf and Dumb Asylum, 28 

Institution for the Blind, 28 

New York Orphan Asylum, 28 

Columbia College, 29 

New York University, 29 

Masonic Hall. 29 

Hall of the New York Society Library, 29 

Clinton liall 30 

Churches, 30 

Colleges and Universities, 31 

Theological Seminaries, 32 

1* 



CONTENTS. 



Literary and Scientific Institutions :— Pagb 

New York Society Library, 33 

" Historical Society, 33 

Lyceum of Natural History, 33 

Mercantile Library Association, 34 

Apprentices' Library, 34 

American Institute, 34 

Mechanics' Institute 34 

New York Law Institute, 35 

" Ethnological Society, 35 

American Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, 35 

New York Athenaeum, 35 

Clinton Hall Association 36 

New York Literary and Philosophical Society, 3B 

Rutgers' Female Institute, 36 

New York Sacred Music Society, 36 

Institutions of the Five Arts : — 

National Academy of Design, 37 

American Art Union, 37 

Medical Institutions : — 

College of Physicians and Surgeons 38 

Medical Department of the New York University, 38 

New York Hospital, 39 

" Eye Infirmary, 39 

'* Medical Society, 39 

" Dispensary, 40 

" Northern do., 40 

" Eastern do., 40 

Vaccine, or Kine-Pock, Institution, 40 

College of Pharmacy, . 41 

Society of Surgeons and Dentists, 41 

Lunatic Asylum — Bloomingdale, 41 

Board of Health, 42 

Marine Hospital — Quarantine, 42 

Seamen's Retreat— Staten Island, 42 

Benevolent, Religious, and Moral Societies, 43 

Commercial Associations : — 

Chamber of Commerce, 47 

New York Board of Trade, 47 

" Commercial Exchange Association, 47 

" Stock and Exchange Board, 47 

Mariners' and Merchants' Association, 47 

Public Schools, 48 

Board of Education, 49 

Places of Amusement : — 

Park Theatre, 51 

Bowery Theatre 51 

Chatham Theatre and Circus, • 51 

Olympic Theatre, 51 

Broadway Theatre, 51 

Opera House, 52 

Castle Garden, 52 

Vauxhall Garden, 53 

American Museum. • • ••• S3 



CONTENTS. 7 

Paqk 

Hotels and Public Houses, 54 

Omnibuses, Hackney Coaches, and Cabs, 55 

Hackney Coach Stands, 57 

Cartinen and Public Porters, 57 

Markets 57 

Ferries, 58 

Trade and Commerce, 60 

Croton Aqueduct, GO 

Monuments : — 

Alexander Hamilton 66 

Lawrence and Ludlow, 67 

Bishop Hobart 68 

Major-general Montgomery, 6V) 

Thomas Addis Eiiimet, 70 

George Fredericli Cooke 70 

Peter Stuyvesant, 71 

*\Viishingtoa Monument, 71 

Police Department, 72 

Chief of Police, 72 

Police Districts, 7.1 

Station Houses, 73 

Fire Department, 74 

Fire A pparatus, 74 

Fire Districts, 74 

Public Baths, 75 

Banks and Insurance Companies : — 

Banks in the City of New York, 70 

Insurance Companies in do., 77 

New York Post Office, 79 

" Custom House, 80 

United States Court, gO 

New York State Courts, 81 

Lines of Packets, 81 

Steamboat Lines, 83 

Railroad Depots, 85 

Omnibus Lines, 85 

Census of the City and County of New York, 87 

Comparative Population of Cities, 88 



L 



CONTENTS. 



Alphabetical List of Places of Resort, iHiRTY'^irLBs 

AROUND THE ClTY OF NeW YoRK I— 

^^"^OK PaOV 

Acqiuickanonck, !^9iMiddletown, tjs 

Astoria, 8.t Middletown Point, 98 

^■■Mh, ■■■■■... ■ SDiMorristown, 98 

Morrisiana, 98 

Newark 98 

New Brighton, 99 

New Brunswick, 99 



Bediow's Island 
Blackvvell's Island 

Belleville 

Beraen 

Blonnifield, 90 

Biooniingdale, 90 

Brooklyn, 90 

Bull's Ferry, 91 

Chatham, 91 

Chelsea, 91 

Clifton 91 

Cold Spring, 92 

Comniunipaw, 92 

Coney Island, 9'2 



Dohb's Ferry, 

Eav-t Chester, 92 

East New York, 92 

Elizabethport, 92 

Elizahethtown, 92 

Factoryvllle, 93 

Flatbush 93 

Flatlands, 93 

Flushing, 93 

Fort Hamilton, 94 

Fort Lee, 94 

Fort Washington, 94 

Glen Cove, 94 

Governor's Island, 95 

Govvanus, 95 

Gravesend, 95 

Greensburgh , 95 

Greenwood Cemetery, 95 

Hackensack, 95 

Harlem, 95 

Harsi mu8, 95 

Hastings 95 

Hempstead,. 96 

Hicksville, 9fi 

Hoboken, 96 



Trvin 

Jamaica 90 

Jericho. 90 

Jerusalem, 96 

Jersey City, 96 

Kingshridge, 97 

Lakeville 97 

Long Branch, 97 

Mamaroneck, 97 

Manchester, 97 

Manhassett, 97 

Manhattan ville, 98 



New Rochelle 100 

Newtown, JOO 

New Utrecht, lOO 

Nyack, , 100 

Orange loO 

Oyster Bay, lOO 

Paterson, loi 

Perth Amboy, lOl 

Piermon t, ](i'> 

Plainfield, i()j> 

Port Chester ](!S 

Port Richmond, 103 

Rahway, 103 

Ra venswood 103 

Red Bank 103 

Rich mond, 103 

Rockaway, 104 

Rossville, 104 

Rye ]04 

Shrewsbury, 104 

South Amboy, 104 

Springfield, 104 

Stapleton ]05 

Tappan, 105 

THrrytown, 105 

Tompkinsville, 106 

Weehawken, 106 

Westchester, 106 

West FHrms, 106 

White Plains, 107 

Williamsburgh, 107 

Yonkers 107 

Yorkville, 107 

Bays, Rivers, &c., 

Bay of New York, 108 

Rnritan Bay, 109 

Newark Bay, 109 

jMmnica Bay, 109 

South Bay, 109 

Flushing Bay, &c., 109 

Hudson River, 109 

East River, &c., Ill 

Passaic River, Ill 

RHritan River, 112 

Shrewsbury River, 112 

Hudson River Steamboats, 113 
Table of Distances, 114 



^^^ 



f 









'f" _____ 
KEWTOKK 

BROOKLYN AHD 

WaUAMSBUHGH 

10 ^ Bioadwa^ 
18 IT 



\>. 




CONTEXTS. 



DESCRIPTION 

OF THE 

CITY AND ISLAND OF NEW YORK. 



SmJATION AND EXTENT. 

The City of New York, which is coextensive in territory 
with the County, stands on an Island of the same name ; in 
N. LAT. 40 deg. 42 min. 43 sec. ; in e. lon. from the Wash- 
ington meridian 3 deg. 1 min. 13 sec, and from Greenwich, 
Eiig., w. LON. 74 deg. 00 min. 41 sec. Its distance from the 
city of Washington, by one continuous line of railroads, is 
225 miles, and 214 from Boston, via Stonington. 

The Island is 13^ miles long, north and south, with an 
average width of 1^ miles, the greatest width being, on the 
line of 14th-street, 2J miles. On the east it is separated from 
Long Island by the strait called East River, which connects 
L. I. Sound with N. Y. Bay ; and on the west, from New 
Jersey, by the river Hudson. At the southern point of the 
island, the Hudson and East rivers unite and form the spa- 
cious Bay of New York, the distance down which, and 
through tRe Narrows to the Atlantic Ocean, is 16 miles, with 
depth of water sufficient for the largest ships. On the north 
and northeast, the island is separated from the mainland of 
Westchester county by the Spuyten Duyvel Creek opening 
into the Hudson, and by Harlem River, which connects with 
the creek not far from King's Bridge, and opens into East 
River, forming, with the creek, a continuous but very winding 
water-way, 8 miles long. East River connects with L. I. 
Sound through the formidable passage called by the Dutch 
" Helle-Gat." The southern termination of the island and 
city is a spacious and beautiful esplanade called " The Bat- 



10 DESCRIPTION OF 

tery," — once fortified, but long since dismantled, — now planted 
with trees, and laid out with public walks. 

In the Bay, fronting the Battery, at the distance of little 
more than half a mile, and separated from Long Island by 
the Buttermilk Channel, is Governor's Island ; while towards 
the Jersey shore, and looking up the Hudson, are Bedlow's 
and Ellis's Islands. These all were long since ceded to the 
United States, (reserving the jurisdiction of the state and city 
for the service of legal process,) and are strongly fortified. 

In the East River, extending in succession towards Long 
Island Sound, are Blackwell's Island, with the City Peniten- 
tiary on the southerly end, a capacious Lunatic Asylum on 
the north, and a new^ Alms House in the middle section ; 
Great Barn Island, between which and the former, Hell- 
Gate is situated, and Randall's Island, are all attached to the 
city and county. 



DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT. 

The Island of New York was discovered in 1609, by 
Henry Hudson, who was then sailing in the service of the 
Dutch East India Company. It was formerly called Man- 
hattan, from the native inhabitants — a name, says School- 
craft, descriptive of the singular whirlpool of " Helle-Gat," 
the most expressive feature in the neighborhood, and which 
may be translated, " the people of the whirlpool." 

The first settlement of white men on this island was made 
by the Dutch in 1613, who then laid the foundation of the 
city, under the name of New Amsterdam, which it retained 
till its conquest in 1664, by the English, who changed the 
name to New York. Being reconquered in 1673, by the 
Dutch, they gave it the name of New Orange ; but on being 
again surrendered to the English, by treaty, in 1674, the 
name of New York was restored, and has been retained ever 
since. 



NEW YORK CITY. 11 

The municipal authority of New Amsterdam was vested 
in two Burgomasters, five assistants, called Schepens, and a 
Schout or Sheriff. The English changed the city govern- 
ment to its present form, under a charter granted in 1665, 
Nicolls being governor of the province. In 1686, under Gov. 
Dongan, the charter was enlarged ; and again, in 1730, un- 
der Gov. Montgomerie. Under these charters, the mayor 
was appointed by the governor, and the aldermen and assist- 
ants were elective. The charter of 1730, as amended by acts 
of the state legislature, is still in force. 

From 1674 to 1783, the city and surrounding country were 
in possession of the English, under the administration of gov- 
ernors appointed by the British crown. During that period 
the city increased slowly in numbers, having, in 1750, only 
about 10,000 inhabitants. When the British evacuated the 
city, November 25, 1783, it contained about 24,000 inhabit- 
ants ; which, in 1790, had increased to 33,131 ; in 1800, to 
60,489 ; in 1810, to 96,373 ; in 1820, to 123,706 ; in 1830, 
to 202,089 ; in 1840, to 312,710 ; and in 1845, to 371,223 ; 
being at the present time by far the most populous and im- 
portant city on the continent of America. 

The city was originally built up without any regular plan, 
and its streets were for the most part narrow and crooked. 
As late as 1783, Chambers-street was the limit of the city on 
the north, and Catharine-street on the east towards Corlear's 
Hook. But the anticipated growth of the city, soon after the 
close of the revolutionary war, and especially on the adoption 
of the present Federal Constitution, led to great public im- 
provements, which were conducted in a systematic manner, 
and most efficiently promoted by the extraordinary powers 
exercised by the corporate authorities for the assessment of 
private property. Under these powers many of the original 
defects of the city have been amended, and all the more re- 
cent sections have been laid out on a regular and comprehen- 
sive plan, with wide, straight, commodious streets and ave- 
nues, and spacious squares ; hills have been levelled, marshes 



12 DESCRIPTION OF 

and other low grounds filled up, and rough places made 
smooth, until the city now presents, and is to present, as fast 
as its blocks of houses shall be extended, uniform grades 
everywhere, of gentle inclination, but sufficient for prompt 
and thorough drainage, in every needful direction, from the 
central sections to each river. The city, as already built, 
covers the island from side to side for the distance of about 
three miles from the Battery. The style of building has im- 
proved from time to time, and within the last ten years has 
reached a high degree of elegance and convenience. The 
ample and convenient side-walks in the upper and newer 
parts of the city, are solidly laid with broad flagstones ; and 
the houses, for the most part built in large and uniform blocks 
of bricii, with steps and lintels of marble, or free-stone, and 
with ornamented balustrades and balconies of iron, present an 
aspect of much elegance and comfort ; and these fine ranges 
are not unfrequently interchanged with still more costly and 
superb mansions, built wholly of hewn granite, marble, or 
free-stone, with fronts occasionally embellished with rich 
sculptures of the same material. This is now the fashionable 
quarter, the lower part of the city being comparatively de- 
serted by its old and wealthy residents, whose former man- 
sions are converted into boarding-houses, or have given place 
to shops and warehouses. 

The following Table shows the increase of population and 
wealth, during the last twenty years. 

Years. Population. Assessed Valuation. 

1825 166,086 $101,160,046. 

1830 202,589 125,288,518, 

1835 270,089 218,723,703. 

1840 312,785 252,843,163. 

1845 371,102 239,938,317. 



NEW YORK CITY. 13 

POPULATION OF THE CITY. 

The city is now divided into 18 wards, and the following 
Table shows its population, by wards, at different periods. 



Wards. 


1830. 


1835. 


1840. 


1845. 










MaUs. 


Females. 


Total. 


I. 


11,331 


10,380 


10,6-29 


6,549 


5,681 


12,230 


II. 


8,203 


7,549 


6,394 


3,947 


3.015 


6,962 


III. 


9.599 


10,884 


11,581 


6,449 


5,451 


11,900 


IV. 


12,705 


15,439 


1.5,770 


12,318 


8,682 


21,000 


V. 


17,722 


18,495 


19,1.59 


9,501 


10 861 


20,362 


VI. 


13.570 


16,827 


17,198 


9,716 


9,627 


19,343 


VII. 


l.=-.,873 


21,481 


22,982 


11,917 


13,585 


25,5L2 


VIII. 


20 729 


28,570 


29.073 


14,2.39 


16,607 


30,846 


IX. 


22,810 


20.618 


24.795 


14,295 


16.612 


30,907 


X 


16,438 


20,926 


2'.».02'i 


10,010 


10,983 


2(),9!>3 


XI. 


14,915 


26,845 


17,0.52 


13.339 


13,920 


27,259 


xn. 


11.808 


24,437 


11,652 


6,879 


6,499 


13,378 


XIII. 


12,598 


17,130 


18.517 


10.750 


11,661 


22,411 


XIV. 


14,288 


17,306 


20,235 


10,065 


11.038 


21,103 


XV.* 




13,202 


17,755 


8,112 


11.310 


19,432 


XVI.t 
XVII.t 






22,273 
18,619 


19,723 
12,556 


20,614 
14,591 


40,337 
27,147 










XVIII.§ 
Total. 














202,589 


270,089 


312,710 


180,472 


190,751 


371,223 



PRINCIPAL STREETS AND AVENUES. 
The principal street is Broadway, which extends northerly 
from the Battery to Union Square, forming a noble avenue 
for nearly 2^ miles through the midst of this great emporium, 
and intersected at right angles by streets leading right and 
left to each river. It is 80 feet wide, and with its roomy and 
well-laid side-walks, constitutes the favorite and most fre- 
quented promenade of the city. On this street are to be seen 
many of the largest and stateliest edifices. On its west side, 
fronting and looking down Wall-street, stands the new Trinity 

* Taken from the 9th Ward, 1832. 
t Taken from the 12th, or out-ward, 1836. 
t Taken from the 11th Ward, 1837. 
§ Taken from the 16 th Ward, 1846. 
2 



14 DESCRIPTION OF 

Church, which, in the richness of its Gothic style of archi- 
tecture, and the impressive grandeur of its dimensions, may 
vie with any similar structure in America : it was finished in 
May, 1846. St. Paul's, ou the corner of Vesey-street, St. 
Thomas's, on the corner of Houston-street, and Grace Church 
on the corner of Tenth-street, finished in 1846, all belong- 
ing to the Episcopalians ; the Unitarian Church of the Mes- 
siah, nearly opposite to Waverley Place, and the fine Gothic 
Porch and Vestibule of the new church of the same denomi- 
nation, between Spring and Prince streets ; the City Hall, 
Astor House, Masonic Hall, the University Medical College, 
and various other less imposing edifices, embellish the several 
portions of this great avenue. On this street, too, are situated 
most of the celebrated hotels, the richer repositories of art, 
the principal bookstores, the shops of splendid jewellery, up- 
holstery and other costly furniture, the fashionable drapers, 
mercers, tailors, hatters, and milliners ; and, in short, most of 
the various establishments that supply the elegancies and 
luxuries of life in the highest style and of the costliest work- 
manship. 

The Bowery is about two-thirds the length of Broadway, 
but is a much wider street. The name is derived from tiie 
Dutch houwery, signifying a farm, and the street was origi- 
nally called Bowery-lane, from its leading through the public 
farms. It runs nearly parallel with Broadway, on the east, 
and being chiefly a business street, presents a scene of great 
activity and animation. It is the great thoroughfare for 
country wagons and market people from Westchester county, 
« with which it communicates by the Harlem Railroad and 
Third Avenue. 

Chatham-street, (named from the Earl of Chatham,) 
connects the Bowery with Broadway and Nassau-street : an 
immense population pours through it at all times from the 
eastern part of the city ; and Broadway, below its junction 
with this street, is often so thronged as to render it hazardous, 
if not impracticable, for foot-passengers to cross it. 



NEW YORK CITY. 15 

East Broadway is a spacious and elegant street on the 
east side of the town, and parallel with it are Henry, Madi- 
son, and Monroe streets, all handsomely built up with private 
residences, and in the neighborhood of East River. The 
principal streets crossing Broadway and terminating at East 
River, are Grand, Broome, Houston, Fourth, Eighth, Tenth, 
and Fourteenth streets, the last of which crosses the island 
from river to river, and may be regarded as the base-line of 
the whole ground-plan of the new portion of the city. 

On the west side, Greenwich and Hudson Streets are 
the most spacious and fashionable ; they run parallel to the 
Hudson, and are about two miles and a half in length. 
Washington and West Streets are of the same length, and 
have a parallel course ; the latter extends along the river, 
bordering the docks and quays. 

Between the lower part of Broadway and East River are 
Nassau, William, Pearl, Water, Front, and South streets, 
crossed by Fulton-street, Maiden-Lane, Liberty, Cedar, Pine, 
Wall, and Broad streets, all of which are occupied with the 
great commercial establishments of the city. A considerable 
part of this quarter of the city was destroyed by the great fire 
of December, 1835, but it was soon entirely rebuilt in a much 
superior style. An almost equally extensiv^e section, immedi- 
ately adjoining the latter on the west, was burnt down in 
July, 1845, and is already in great part rebuilt in a far more 
substantial, secure, and expensive manner. 

Wall-Street contains the Merchants' Exchange, Custom 
House, and numerous other splendid edifices, of more recent 
erection, occupied by banking and insurance companies, law- 
yers' offices, the counting-rooms of stock and exchange bro- 
kers, and the various adjuncts of a great commercial empo- 
rium and money market. 

The Avenues (so called) are sixteen in number, and ex- 
tend from the upper parts of the city to Harlem river ; they 
are in general 100 feet wide, as laid down on the plan of the 
city, but they are not all yet opened and graded ; the process 



16 DESCRIPTION OF 

of opening and grading is, however, rapidly going on. They 
are crossed by streets running from river to river, some of 
which are of equal width with the Avenues. The Third 
Avenue leads to Harlem bridge, and being macadamized 
throughout its whole extent, (about 7 miles,) affords a pleasant 
and much-frequented drive from the city. The Harlem 
Railroad is laid upon the Fourth Avenue. The Blooming- 
dale road, (a continuation of Broadway,) is another favorite 
route for drives in pleasant weather, leading to the villages of 
Bloomingdale and Manhattanville, along the banks of the 
Hudson. 



PARKS AND SQUARES. 

The Battery. — This beautiful esplanade affords a fine 
view of the Harbor and Bay, of the neighboring islands, and 
the opposite shores. It embraces an area of about 11 acres, 
laid out with broad gravel-walks, abundantly shaded and 
adorned with trees. As a public promenade and parade 
ground, it doubtless ranks, in beauty of situation, prospect, 
and general attraction, among the finest in any country. A 
castle, with massive circular walls, built of red free-stone, on 
a mole in the water, and designed for a defensive work, is 
connected with the southwest angle of the Battery by a bridge, 
but has long been disused for its original purpose, and occu- 
pied as a place of amusement, occasionally for the holding of 
great meetings on public occasions, and for the exhibition of 
fireworks on gala-days. 

The Bowling Green, near the Battery, and the first pub- 
he area established in the city, is a handsome ellipse, 220 
feet in its longer diameter, and 140 feet in its shorter, and 
forms the southern termination of Broadway. It is enclosed 
by a neat iron fence, is planted with trees, and since the con- 
struction of the Croton Aqueduct, it has been still further 
embellished and refreshed by a fountain in the centre, where 



NEW YORK CITY. 17 

a statue of George III. once stood, but was, with other more 
important badges of colonial dependence, removed in the days 
of the Revolution. The United States Custom House and 
Public Stores formerly occupied the ground facing the Bowl- 
ing Green on the south ; but in 1815, the ground and build- 
ings were bought by the city authorities, divided into house 
lots, and sold to private persons, on condition that the pur- 
chasers should erect thereon houses of uniform front. This 
was the origin of the block of elegant mansions facing the 
Bowling Green and looking up Broadway. 

The Park is a triangular area of 10| acres, part of the 
original common land of the ci^ty, except a strip on Chambers- 
street purchased as early as 1795, to bring the line of this 
public ground, tlien called " The Fields," up to the street line, 
and thus to accommodate the old Alms House, then about 
to be built, and yet standing. The whole length of the 
Park, on the Broadway side, is 996 feet, and its greatest 
breadth on the front line of the City Hall, is 572 feet. It is 
laid out with spacious gravel-walks, planted with trees and 
shrubbery, and enclosed by an iron fence on a heavy base of 
white marble, and upon the introduction of the Croton, was 
embellished with a large Fountain, throwing its waters to an 
unusual height, and giving animation and refreshment to the 
scene. The public buildings included within the bounds of 
the Park, are the City Hall, in the centre ; the Hall of 
Records, once the Jail, on the east side near Chatham-street ; 
the New City Hall, formerly the Alms House, on the Cham- 
bers-street side ; and a few feet east of the latter, on the 
same line, the Rotunda. 

Washington Square has an area of 9| acres, being 950 
feet long from the east line in front of the University, to 
McDougal-street on the west, and 447 feet wide, from Fourth- 
street, on the south, to Waverley Place, on the north. It in- 
cludes, as more than half of its contents, the old " Potter's 
Field," the residue having been taken from the grounds of 
private owners, at a cost of $77,946, which was paid by 
2* 



18 DESCRIPTION OF 

assessments on surrounding lots. It is 1^ miles north from 
the City Hall, and a few blocks west from Broadway ; is laid 
out with broad gravel -walks, and well planted with trees ; 
and has the costly and elegant mansions of Waverley Place, 
(so named in honor of Sir Walter Scott as " The Author of 
Waverley,") fronting it on the north, with the costly Gothic 
structures of the New York University and one of the Dutch 
Reformed churches on the east. 

Tompkins Square, several blocks east from the Bowery, 
extending north and south from Seventh to Tenth-street, and 
east and west between Avenues A and B, has been laid out 
and planted but a few years, and still looks somewhat new 
and raw. It is, however, of very ample dimensions, well 
planted and arranged, and commands a fine view of the East 
River and the Long Island shore ; and when the trees shall 
have become well grown, the turf well set, the adjacent 
streets well built, and every thing appertaining to it shall have 
attained more maturity, it will be one of the most beautiful 
as well as spacious squares in the city. It is already an 
agreeable promenade much frequented in pleasant weather. 
It is a favorite parade-ground for military corps, is easy of 
access, and improvements are fast advancing in its neighbor- 
hood. 

Union Place, at the common termination of Broadway, 
the Bowery, and University Place, (the last name having 
been given to so much of W^ooster-street as extends northerly 
from the University to Fourteenth-street,) is 1| miles from 
the City HalL It is an oval, 877 feet long from Fourteenth- 
street, on the south, to. Seventeenth-street, on the north, by 
503 feet wide, from Fourth Avenue, on the east, to Jackson 
Avenue, on the west ; and it contains about 10 acres. These 
dimensions were given to Union Place, under an act of the 
State Legislature, passed in 1832, pursuant to a petition from 
the owners of the adjacent lands, who were assessed ^213,516 
to pay for the grounds taken for this fine area, which, at a 
great additional expense, was reduced to the requisite uniform 



NEW YORK CITY. 19 

grade, laid out with gravel-walks, planted with trees, and en- 
closed with a handsome iron fence, on a massy stone base : 
some of the most expensive and elegant ranges of private 
dwellings in the city, front upon its respective sides. 

Madison and Hamilton Squares, and some other public 
areas, though laid down on the plan of the cit)'^, are not yet 
arranged and opened. 

Hudson Square, or St. John's Park, in the middle section 
of the westerly side of the city, is not public ground, and is 
open only to privileged persons. It is part of an extensive 
parcel of land owned by the Trinity Church Corporation, 
which, in 1803, for the health and embellishment of that 
quarter of the city, reserved the two blocks of ground between 
Varick-street, on the east, and Hudson-street, on the west ; 
Beach-street, on the south, and Laight-street, on the north, 
for a park ; and, in 1827, stipulated with the owners of the 
adjacent lots, that it should remain forever open for their 
benefit and recreation, reserving to the church the right to 
sell the ground thus set apart, only on receiving the consent 
of the owners of two-thirds of the surrounding lots. Since 
1827, the adjacent proprietors have, at a cost of $26,000, 
had this park enclosed with a handsome iron fence, laid out 
with gravel-walks, and planted with trees, flowering plants, 
and other shrubbery, so abundantly, that in summer its thick 
shades and pleasant odors render it one of the most agreea- 
ble and refreshing places in the city. It is surrounded by 
elegant blocks of private houses, and on the east, is fronted 
by St. John's church with its lofty spire. A beautiful foun- 
tain now adorns this park. 

Gramercy Park is also a private or privileged square, the 
use of which belongs to the owners or occupants of the 60 
lots adjacent. It is exactly 2 miles from the City Hall, and 
is between 3d and 4tli Avenues on the east and west, and 
between 20th and 21st streets, south and north. It has not 
yet been much improved, but is to be accommodated with 
walks, and embellished with trees and flowering shrubs. The 



20 DESCRIPTION OF 

land included in this square, and the carriage-ways on the 
east and west sides of it, was gratuitously conveyed, in 1831, 
by Samuel B. Ruggles, to 5 trustees, with power to enclose 
it as a park, with an iron fence, and to keep it forever open 
for the uses mentioned ; and the city authorities have ex- 
empted it from taxation. A new avenue, 75 feet wide, lead- 
ing from the middle of the south side of this square to 14th 
street, was established, in 1832, with the name of Irving 
Place, in honor of our distinguished countryman, Washington 
Irving. 



PRINCIPAL PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 

The public buildings are numerous, and some of them are 
worthy of remark for their dimensions, magnificence, and 
cost, as well as for their style, embellishment, and architec- 
tural effect. 

The City Hall, in the centre of the Park, was com- 
menced in 1803, and completed in 1812, at a total cost of 
$538,734. Its whole length is 216 feet, by 84 feet wide in 
the middle section, and 106 feet in the wings. The front and 
ends are of white marble, and the back of red free-stone. It 
has 2 principal stories and an attic, placed on an elevated 
basement, with a portico, fronting the middle section, adorned 
with marble columns of the Ionic order opposite to the en- 
trance to the first floor, and of the Corinthian above, with 
pilasters in corresponding styles on the walls of the respective 
stories. From the centre of the roof rises a cupola, embel- 
lished with columns in the Composite style placed in pairs at 
the angles, and containing a large clock of superior workman- 
ship and much cost, the dome of the cupola being surmounted 
by a colossal figure of Justice. In the cupola, also, is an 
apartment prepared as a look-out, commanding a view of the 
whole city, and in it a watchman is stationed every night to 
give the alarm of fire, if necessary. Behind the principal 
cupola, on the rear of the roof has been erected another and 



NEW YORK CITY. 21 

Bmaller one, in which hangs a bell weighing nearly 7000 lbs., 
called " the City Hall Bell," and used solely as an alarm bell, 
the number of strokes indicating the corresponding number of 
the district in which the fire breaks out. 

The " Executive Chamber," or " Governor's Room," on the 
second floor in the City Hall, is a large and noble apartment, 
designed especially for the public uses of the governor of the 
state when in the city, but also used as a public reception- 
room, in paying civic honors to distinguished men, and on 
various other occasions. Its walls are adorned with many 
portraits of men eminent for their public services and charac- 
ter : some of these paintings are conspicuous for their merit 
as works of art. The Common Council Chamber is also a 
spacious and beautiful apartment. 

The various public purposes for which this Hall is occupied 
may be seen in the following statement. 

First Floor, (continued.) 

22. Assistant Vice Chancellor 

23. Chamber of Judges of Superior 
Court. 

24. Court of Chancery. 

Second Floor. 

11. Governor's Room. 

13. Common Council Chamber. 

14. Superior Court. 

15. Superior Court Clerk's Office. 

25. Court of Common Pleas. 

26. Circuit Court. 

27. Chamber of Board of Assl's. 

28. Register in Chancery. 



Basement. 

1. City Inspector's Office. 

2. Clerk of Board of Education. 

18. Mechanics' Institute. 

First Floor. 

4. Law Institute. 

5. MHyor's Office. 

6. Clerk of Board of Assistants. 

8. Clerk of Board of Aldermen. 

9. Keeper's Room. 
17. First Judjre's Office. 

19. Clerk of Supreme Court. 

20. Clerk of City and County. 

21. Sheriirs Office. 

The New City Hall, standing in the rear of the City 
Hall, on the Chambers-street side of the Park, is a plain 
brick edifice, 260 feet long by 49 feet wide, with 3 stories and 
a basement. It was built in 1796 for an Alms House, and 
long occupied as such ; but many years ago refitted, and, under 
its present name, appropriated to the occupancy of the follow- 
ing tribunals, public offices, and institutions. It has an en- 
trance at the west end, and several others in the principal 
front, which is on the Park side. 



22 



DESCRIPTION OF 



Office of Corporation Attorney. 
Do. Croton Aqueduct Board. 
Do. Water Commissioners. 

East End, side entrance. 

U. S. District Court Room, 2d floor. 
Clerk of Do., 1st floor. 
U. S. District Attorney, 1st. floor. 
U. S. Marshal, Do. 

U. S. District Judge's Room. 
Keeper's Rooms, 3d floor. 



West End. 

American Institute, 1st floor. 
Marine Court Room, 2d floor. 

Basement. 

Office of Chief of Police. 
Do. Receiver of Taxes. 
Do. District Attorney. 

Middle Entrance, 1st floor. 
Office of Com. of Alms House. 

The Rotunda. This edifice stands near the east end of 
the New City Hall, and at the northeast angle of the Park, 
on Chambers-street It is of brick, and was built, in 1818, 
by subscription, started by the friends of Vanderlyn, the 
painter, and on a plan furnished by that eminent artist, for 
the special purpose of exhibiting large panoramic views, sev- 
eral of which, on his then recent return from Europe, he had 
brought with him, and among them one of the Palace and 
Gardens of Versailles, painted by himself Besides the circu- 
lar, or Panoramic room, the building contains other apart- 
ments, one of which was occupied for some time by Mr. Van- 
derlyn as a studio, in which might then also be seen his beau- 
tiful Ariadne, and his Marius amid the ruins of Carthage, a 
still nobler production, for which he obtained the 2d medal at 
one of the annual exhibitions in Paris. The Rotunda is now 
occupied by the New York Gallery of Fine Arts. 

The Hall of Records stands a little east of the City Hall, 
on the Chatham-street side of the Park. It was once the City 
jail, but was many years since remodelled, converted into a 
handsome edifice, in the Grecian Doric style, with a colon- 
nade at each end, and fitted up for the occupancy of public 
offices, of which the following are now kept there. 

Second Floor. 

Office of Collector of Assessments, 
No. 7. 
Do. Street Commissioner, No. 4. 
Do. City Comptroller, No. 5. 
Do. Collector of City Rents, Do. 



First Floor. 

Office of the Register of Deeds, 2 
rooms. 
Do Surrogate, No. 3. 



NEW YORK CITY. 23 

The Halls of Justice, built of a light gray granite, in the 
Eg^'ptian style, is a remarkable structure. It fronts on Cen- 
tre-street, and occupies an entire block of ground, 253 feet 
long, by 200 feet wide. Its massive Theban columns with 
their gigantic palm-leaved capitals, its deep cornices orna- 
mented with winged globes encircled by serpents, and its 
other mystic symbols copied from the architecture of ancient 
Egypt, give a strange and impressive expression to the build- 
ing. The criminal courts of the city and the City Prison are 
kept within its walls, and these uses, harmonizing with the 
solemn aspect of the architecture, have procured for this edi- 
fice the common appellation of " the Tombs." It was com- 
pleted in 1838. The City Prison, though included within 
the walls of this structure, is isolated from the other portions, 
and, rising the whole height of the building, is 142 feet long, 
by 45 feet wide, containing 148 cells for the different classes 
of convicts, the males and females being kept wholly sepa- 
rate. Rooms are also provided here for the temporary detention 
of persons arrested at night, and others, to await the action of 
the proper authorities to dispose of them. The other occu- 
pants of this building may be seen from the following state- 
ment. 



Principal Floor. 

Court of General Sessions. 
Clerk of Do. 
Grand Jury Room. 
Police Office. 
Coroner's Office. 



Principal Floor continued. 

High Constable's Office. 
Keeper's Room. 

Basement. 

Room of Keeper of City Prison. 
Police Station of 6th Ward. 



The House of Refuge for Juvenile Delinquents, is sit- 
uated on the East River, about 3 miles from the City Hall. 
It is a plain building, being formerly occupied as a hospital, 
when it was attached to the Alms House department at 
Bellevue. This humane institution, which usually contains 
about 300 inmates, was established in 1825 ; since then about 
4000 children have been taken under its charge, many of 
whom have been reclaimed and become useful citizens. 



24 DESCRIPTION OF 

The New Merchants' Exchange, on the site of the pre- 
vious one, which was destroyed by the great fire in Decem- 
ber, 1835, is the largest on the ground, and most costly edi- 
fice in the city. It is built of the Quincy granite, a bluish 
sienite, the whole being of solid masonry, with not a piece of 
wood exposed throughout the structure. It occupies the 
whole of a somewhat irregular block, fronting on Wall-street. 
It is 200 feet long, by 171 feet wide at one end, and 144 
feet at the other ; it is 77 feet from the top line of the foun- 
dation to the upper side of the cornice, and 124 feet from the 
same line to the apex of the dome. In front is a recessed 
portico, with 18 grand, fluted columns in the Ionic style, each 
consisting of a single block of granite 38 feet high, 4| in di- 
ameter, and weighing 33 tons. They are said to be the 
largest monoliths in the world, excepting only those of St. 
Isaac's church in St. Petersburg. The Rotunda, or Hall of 
Exchange, for the general assembling of merchants and other 
business men, in the centre of the building, on the first floor, 
is 100 feet across, and from this floor to the top of the dome 
the height is 90 feet. The dome is of solid masonry, is 80 
feet in diameter, and is adorned by 8 Corinthian columns of 
fine Italian marble, which form part of its support. These 
columns are 41 feet in height, and 4| feet in diameter. A 
more magnificent apartment is rarely to be seen. The en- 
tire cost of this structure, including the ground, is staled at 
$1,800,000, though the original estimate was but one-third 
of that sum. It was erected by a company incorporated in 
1823, under the title of " The Merchants' Exchange Com- 
pany," with a capital of f 1,000,000. Besides the great Hall 
of Exchange, or Rotunda, above described, the building con- 
tains a great number of apartments occupied as offices by 
Insurance Companies, lawyers, brokers, merchants, and for 
various other purposes, including a large and well supplied 
Reading-room, where are to be found newspapers from for- 
eign countries, and almost every section of the United States. 



NEW YORK CITY. 25 

The Custom House is another recent addition, and a very 
noble one, to the pubHc edifices of the city. It is modelled 
after the Parthenon, (the Temple of Minerva,) at Athens, 
and it does not materially differ in its dimensions from that 
celebrated edifice, which was 217 feet long, 98 feet broad, 
and 65 high. The external walls, and the roof of the Cus- 
tom House, are of white marble, and the entire building is 
finished without wood, so as to be thoroughly fire-proof. It 
is 200 feet long, by 90 feet wide, and about 80 feet high. It 
has two fronts, the principal one being ou Wall-street, oppo- 
site the head of Broad-street, and the other fronts on Pine- 
street, each adorned with a row of finely-wrought marble 
columns, 32 feet high, of the Doric order. The business 
hall, occupying the centre of the building, is a rotunda, 80 
feet in diameter, surmounted by a dome supported by 16 
beautiful Corinthian columns, 30 feet high. The architec- 
tural decorations of the interior are numerous, appropriate in 
design, and exquisitely finished. This noble edifice was com- 
menced in May, 1834, and completed in May, 1841, at a 
total cost, including the ground, of $1,175,000 ; for the 
structure alone, $950,000. 

The New York Hospital, with its grounds, occupies the 
greater part of the block on the west side of Broadway, be- 
tween Duane and Anthony streets. It is a plain but sub- 
stantial edifice of gray stone, with a middle section and two 
wings, making the whole front 124 feet ; is 3 stories on a 
raised basement, and is surmounted by a cupola. It stands 
about 200 feet back from Broadway, has a handsome terraced 
court in front, shaded with venerable elms, and a broad paved 
walk leading through its centre, from the gate at the street 
line, to the main entrance of the building. Its site is one of 
the finest in the city. This hospital was founded by private 
subscription as early as 1769. The first edifice was burnt 
down in 1775, and a new one recommenced ; but before it 
could be finished, the war for Independence broke out, and 
3 



26 DESCKIPTION OF 

the unfinished apartments were occupied as barracks by the 
British troops till they evacuated the city, after which the 
building was resumed and completed in season to be opened 
for patients, as it now stands, in 1791. 

The Hospital for Sick and Disabled Seamen, formerly 
occupied as an asylum for lunatics, adjoins the Hospital on 
the south side. It is built, like the Hospital, of gray stone, is 
90 feet by 40 in the middle section, with wings 60 feet deep 
each. It was refitted and converted to its present use in 
1826, and can accommodate about 80 patients. 

The New Alms House Buildings just completed, are sit- 
uated at the centre of Black well's Island, and consist of a 
main building with two wings for the males, a similar main 
building, with its two wings, for the females ; two one-story 
buildings used as kitchens, &.C., and placed in the rear of 
each department, and a large building devoted to the pur- 
poses of a Chapel, warehouse, and public offices. The main 
building of each department is 50 feet square ; the wings are 
each 60 feet by 95 feet ; the kitchens are each 40 feet by 70 
feet, and the Chapel is G5 feet by 90 feet. The basement 
floor in the building of each department is one step above the 
ground, and there are three stories above the basement in the 
centre main buildings, and two stories above the basement in 
the wing buildings. The principal story of the main building, 
is devoted to the use of the offices of the department — having 
a general office, parlor, apartments for the physicians, for the 
stewards, &c. ; the remainder of this building and the whole 
of the wings are divided into rooms, 22 feet by 56 feet each, 
for the paupers. Each of these rooms is arranged with two 
or more windows at each end, opening upon a verandah at 
each story, which admits of their being ventilated in the most 
perfect manner, by having a current of air passed through 
them lengthwise at pleasure. 

The number of the poor provided with ample accommo- 
dations in these buildings, is 1,300, which, upon an emergen- 
cy, may be increased to 2,600, by adopting the plan pursued 



NEW YORK CITY. 27 

in such cases in other institutions, of using two-story bed- 
steads, after the manner of berths in a steamboat. The fa- 
cilities for ventilation which the apartments possess, would, it 
is believed, fully admit of such arrangement. 

The whole cost of the buildings, exclusive of the labor per- 
formed by the Penitentiary convicts in quarrying the stone, 
will be about ^115,000. 

The CiTV Penitentiary is situated on the southerly end 
of Blackwell's Island, in the East River, 4 miles from the 
City Hall. It is a very extensive establishment. The prin- 
cipal edifice consists of a middle section 4 stories high, with a 
square tower rising above the centre of the roof, for a belfry, 
and with 2 wings, each more than 200 feet long, and 4 ranges 
of cells high. The middle section is mainly occupied with 
apartments for the Keeper, and for purposes connected with 
the affairs of the institution ; and in the prison-yard, which is 
enclosed by a high and strong wall of stone masonry, are 
workshops for the convicts. At convenient distances from 
the chief building, and from each other, are hospitals for sick 
convicts, an asylum for female lunatics, store-rooms, cook- 
houses, wash-houses, ice-houses, and other appropriate ad- 
juncts. The prison and its appendages are built in a sub- 
stantial manner of stone quarried on the island. A little 
without the prison-wall, and toward the middle of the island, 
stands the Superintendent's house, with accommodations for 
a family residence. The establishment is capacious enough 
for the reception of more than 1000 convicts. 

The City Lunatic Asylum, situated on the north end of 
Blackwell's Island, is a substantial stone edifice, well adapted 
for the humane purpose for which it is intended. It now ac- 
commodates about 400 patients. 

The Asylum for the Insane, or Bloomingdale Asylum, 
is situated at Bloomingdale, 7 miles from the City Hall, about 
80 rods back from the margin of the Hudson River, on an 
elevated site, commanding a varied, extensive, and cheerful 
prospect. The edifice, which was commenced in May, 1818, 



28 DESCRIPTION OF 

and completed in 1820, is of red free-stone. It is 211 feet 
by 60, with 3 stories on a basement. Attached to the insti- 
tution are about 40 acres of land, laid out in pleasure-grounds, 
gardens, and farm lots, all rendered subservient to the benefit 
of the patients, by furnishing them with wholesome exercise, 
recreation, or moderate labor, and contributing to the supply 
of food for the establishment. It is under the general super- 
vision and control of the Governors of the New York Hos- 
pital, and its patients are all pay-patienta. 

The Deaf ani> Dumb Asylum is situated on 50th-street, 
near 4th Avenue, 3^ miles from the City Hall- The princi- 
pal edifice, built of brick and crusted with stucco, in imitation 
of marble, is 110 feet long, by 60 feet wide, with 4 stories 
on a basement. Its style is plain, but neat. It was opened 
for the occupancy of this interesting and useful institution in 
1829. The City Corporation granted an acre of land for the 
site of the buildings, in addition to which, 9 contiguous acres 
have been taken on a lease, and laid out in gardens, mead- 
ows, and walks, for the recreation and exercise of the pupils, 
and to contribute, in part, to the supply of food for the estab- 
lishment. The aspect of the whole is exceedingly agreeable. 

The New York Institution for the Blind is situated on 
9th Avenue, near 33d-street, on a tract of 32 lots, given for 
the purpose by James Boerman, an opulent merchant of the 
city. This valuable institution was founded in 1831. In 
1839, the State Legislature granted $15,000 to aid in the 
erection of a suitable edifice; and various donations were 
made for the same purpose by private individuals, particularly 
the munificent one of $12,000 by the late Miles R. Burke. 
The principal structure is a very imposing one, both in di- 
mensions and style of architecture, and well arranged. 

New York Orphan Asylum, at Bloomingdale, about 5 
miles from the City Hall, is a handsome building, 120 feet by 
60, surrounded by nine acres of ground, extending to the east 
bank of the Hudson, affording a fine view of the river and 
opposite shore. 



NEW YORK CITY. 29 

CoLUiMBiA College, among the oldest edifices in the city, 
is pleasantly situated on a block of ground 250 feet square, 
at the foot of Park Place. The edifice was originally erected, 
not long after tiie granting of the charter, which was in 1750, 
by funds raised by lottery. It is built of unhewn stone, crusted 
with stucco, and presents a front of 200 feet, with 3 stories. 
In 1816, it was extensively refitted and repaired, the grounds 
enclosed with a wall of substantial masonry surmounted by 
un iron railing, and these improvements, with the fine court 
in front, and its venerable trees, impart an air of seclusion 
and quiet, as striking as it is appropriate, in the midst of a 
thronged and bustling city. 

The New York University, standing at the east end of 
Washington Square, is designed in Gothic style, and has an 
imposing aspect. It presents a front of 180 feet, with a 
middle section and 2 wings, with octagon towers at the angles, 
and a superb Gothic window in the centre filled with stained 
glass, which gives a richly colored light to the Chapel — an 
apartment much admired for its architectural beauty. It 
also accommodates the New York Historical Society with a 
suite of rooms. This noble edifice was finished in 1836. 

The Masonic Hall, standing on the east side of Broad- 
way, between Duane and Pearl streets, and extending about 
100 feet from the street to the rear, presents a front 50 feet 
wide, and 70 high, of hewn stone, and designed in Gothic 
style. The great hall, on the 2d floor, about 90 feet by 45, 
and 25 feet high, receiving its light chiefly through a large 
Gothic window in front, filled with stained glass, is a superb 
apartment. This edifice was erected in 1826 and 1827, and 
its spacious hall is occasionally used for holding large public 
meetings. 

The Hall of the N. Y. Society Library, 348 Broadway, 
is a neat building of two stories on a high basement. The sido 
walls are of brick, and extend about 90 feet to the rear. The 
front, 50 feet wide, is of red free-stone, with a recess above 
the basement, and six louic columns supporting a pediment. 
3* 



30 DESCRIPTION OF 

The interior, besides the apartments for the Library, has sev- 
eral other rooms, some of which are occupied by paintings 
and sculptures. 

Clinton Hall, corner of Nassau and Beekman streets, is a 
large and substantial edifice, 4 stories high ; it accommodates 
the Mercantile Library, and is in part occupied as a hotel. 



CHURCHES. 

The whole number of Churches, or places for public wor- 
ship, in the city, including all designations, is considerably 
over 200 ; but new ones are added every year, so that every 
annual list of them must unavoidably be a little below the 
actual number. For the year 1846, the number is stated at 
215, distributed, according to their usual designations arranged 
in alphabetical order, as in the following list. 

Baptist 23 | Presbyterian (Reformed) 3 

Congregational (Calvinistic)-.-. 7 Do. (Assoc. Ref.) 2 

Do. (Unitarian) 2J Do. (Associate) 3 

Dutch Reformed 17 i Protestant Epi<;copal 41 

Friends (or Quai^ers) 4 ! Roman Catholic 16 

Jewish Synagogues 9 Universalist 4 



Welsh (Presbyterian) 1 

Do. (Methodist) 1 

Do. (Baptist) 1 

Miscellaneous 12 

Total ...215 



Lutheran 3 

Methodist (Episcopal) 30 

Do. (Protestant) 1 

Mormon 1 

New Jerusalem (or Swedenbor- 

gian; 2 

Presbyterian 32 

A considerable number of the church edifices are costly 
and imposing structures, and some of them are highly distin- 
guished for beauty of design and embellishment, and general 
architectural splendor. Among these, and long enough erect- 
ed to be generally known, may be mentioned St. Paul's, St. 
John's, St. Thomas's, St. Peter's, Christ Church, and the 
Church of the Ascension, all belonging to the Episcopalians ; 
the French Protestant Episcopal Church of St Esprit ; the 



NEW YORK CITY. 31 

Dutch Reformed churches on Washington Square and Lafay- 
ette Place ; St. Patrick's and St. Peter's, of the Roman Cath- 
olics ; the Unitarian churches of the Messiah, and the Ho- 
ly Unity, 548 Broadway ; the Presbyterian churches in 
Duane and Mercer streets, and in 5th Avenue ; the Bapt,t;t 
church in Broome-street, &c., &c. Far before all, however, 
in grandeur of dimensions, elegance of design, richness of 
ornament, and general magnificence, stands the new Trinity 
Church of the Episcopalians, upon the site of the old one, on 
the west side of Broadway, and fronting Wall-street. Grace 
Church, on Broadway, corner of Tenth-street, is also a new 
and splendid edifice. 

The Rev. Dr. Berrian, in his history of Trinity Church, 
recently published, gives the following as the cost of this 
splendid structure, designed by Richard Upjohn, architect. 

Cost of Church, including furniture, &c $.^3T.9[)4 

" Organ, (constructed liy W. Erben,) 11,252 

" Clock, and four bells to complete the chime, 5.844 

" Railing, flagging, &c 3,530 

Total cost of New Trinity Church, $358,020 

• 

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. 

CoLUMBi.\ College, the oldest literary institution in the 
city, was chartered under the name of King's College, in 
1750, by George II. Its situation has been noticed under 
the head of Public Buildings. In 1787, when the indepen- 
dence of the country had been established, and public affairs 
settled on a republican basis, the state legislature modified 
and confirmed the charter, and changed its name to the one 
by which it has since become so honorably distinguished. 
The College Faculty consists of a President and 10 Profes- 
sors ; it is well provided with apparatus ; its libraries contain 
about 14,000 volumes ; its edifice is arranged for the occu- 
pancy of the President and Professors with their families, and 



32 DESCRIPTION OF 

has also apartments for a chapel, lecture-rooms, &c. Con- 
nected with the College is a grammar-school, under the rec- 
torship of one of the Professors, and with a numerous attend- 
ance of pupils. 

The University ok the City of New York, the situa-" 
tion of which has been also noticed under the head of Public 
Buildings, is a young institution, chartered in 1831, but fast 
growing in importance and favor. The Faculty of Science 
and Letters consists of a Chancellor and 7 Professors, and 
the institution is well supplied with apparatus and libraries. 
Connected with the University is a grammar-school, under 
the superintendence of one of the Professors as Principal. It 
has also a Medical Department, under a distinct organization, 
and with distinct courses of lectures, which ranks among the 
most rising medical schools in the land. 



THEOLOGICAL SEMINARIES. 

The General, Theological Seminary of the Episcopal. 
Church is situated on 2lst-streeti>t the corner of 9th Ave- 
nue, near the Hudson River, 2 miles from the City Hall, in a 
part of the city commonly called Chelsea. It was founded in 
1819, and has 2 neat buildings for the accommodation of the 
Professors and students. The Board of Trustees consists o*" 
all the Bishops of that denomination in the Union, aud one 
other person from each Diocese. The institution is well en- 
dowed, and has received extensive patronage from the Church 
and sect to which it belongs. 

The Union Theological Seminary, founded in 1836, is 
under the direction of the Presbyterian Church, but is open 
to all Christian denominations. It stands in University Place, 
near Washington Square, and has a chapel, library, 4 lecture- 
rooms, and private rooms for the accommodation of about 40 
students, though the number in attendance is much greater, 
many being at private lodgings in the vicinity. The library 



NEW YORK CITY. 33 

contains about 16,000 volumes, embracing many rare and val- 
uable works, formerly of the collection belonging to the late 
Rev. Leander Van Ess, a learned German clergyman. Tiie 
general regulation of this institution is vested in a Board of 
Directors, and the Faculty of Instruction consists of 8 Pro- 



LITERART AND SOIENTIFIO INSTITUTIONS. 

The New York Society Library, the oldest institution 
cf the kind in the city, was founded in 1754. It now^ occu- 
pies a new, handsome, and commodious building on Broad- 
way at the corner of Leonard-street. The library, the largest 
and most valuable general library in the state, contains about 
40,000 volumes, and is annually extending. In the same 
building the Society has a lecture-room, and a reading-room 
in some respects the best in the city. The institution is 
governed by a Board of Trustees, 12 in number, elected 
yearly by the share-holders. 

The New York Historical Society, organized in 1804, 
at present occupies a suite of rooms in the New York City 
University. It has a library of about 12,000 volumes, par- 
ticularly rich in relation to American history, and a consider- 
able collection of coins and medals. The Society has pub- 
lished several volumes of historical collections, and has for 
several years ranked among the most active, efficient, and 
useful associations of the kind in the country. 

The Lyceum of Natural History, established in 1818, 
has done much for the advancement of physical science in 
this country. It has a valuable library, and extensive col- 
lections in the several branches of natural history arranged in 
cabinets, and open to inspection gratuitously. It has pub- 
lisher! .3 volumes of Transactions, and is in correspondence 
with similar societies in Europe, exchanging with them pub- 
lications and specimens. It occupies the front rooms in the 



34 ^ DESCRIPTION OF 

second story of the New York University Medical College, 
(originally called Stuyvesant Institute,) at 659 Broadway. 
Its regular meetings are held every Monday evening. 

The Mercantile Library Association is composed chiefly 
of merchants' clerks. The number of its associates, in 1840, 
was reported at upwards of 5,000, and has since increased. 
Its library comprises about 22,000 volumes, and in connec- 
tion with it is an excellent reading-room. Series of lectures, 
on various subjects, are delivered before the Association every 
winter, at Clinton Hall, where the library is kept and the 
Association has its rooms. 

The Apprentices Library, situated in Crosby-street, con- 
tains about 12.000 volumes. It was established, in 1820, by 
the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, and about 
2,000 apprentices enjoy its advantages. 

The American Institute, for the encouragement of 
American arts and trade, was formed in 1828 and incorpo- 
rated in 1829. It possesses a valuable library of about 5,000 
volumes, a museum of models and drafts of new machines, 
and other inventions, and an excellent reading-room. Its 
apartments are in the New City Hall. Under the auspices 
and direction of this Institute, annual fairs, of great interest 
and utility, and attended by vast numbei-s of visiters from all 
quarters, are held in this city for the exhibition of American 
inventions and productions, in every branch of human skill 
and industry. lis influence has been of incalculable value 
in promoting its important objects. 

The Mechanics' Institute, founded in 1830, and incor- 
porated in 1833, occupies rooms in the basement of the City 
Hall, where it has a library of near 2,000 volumes, a well 
supplied reading-room, an interesting collection of models of 
machinery, a valuable suit of apparatus for illustrating the 
principles of mechanical philosophy and chemistry. A course 
of lectures is provided every winter by its Directors, who 
have also established two separate schools, for males and fe- 
males, which have proved very useful. 



NEW YORK CITY. 35' 

Tiie New Yokk Law Institute, organized in 1828, was 
incorporated in 1830. It is composed wholly of members of 
the Bur, and for the special benefit and convenience of that 
profession. It has a well-selected and valuable library of 
about 3,.500 volumes, kept in room No. 4, on the 1st lioor of 
the City Hall. Members of the Bar from other places, when 
in the city, and the judges of the courts, have access to it 
gratis. The fees of membership are {^20 on admission, and 
^10 annually thereafter. It is a very useful and convenient 
institution. 

The New York Ethnological Society, formed in 1842, 
has for its objects, inquiries relating to the origin, history, and 
distinctive traits of the various stocks and tribes of the human 
race ; their languages, customs, manners, antiquities, primi- 
tive geography, physical structure, »S»:.c. The plan of the 
Society is to prosecute these purposes by means of disquisi- 
tions and dissertations, scientitic or historical, and more or less 
elaborate and formal, to be read, or otherwise communicated, 
at its stated meetings, and subsequently published from time 
to time, as the Transactions of the Society. 

The American Society for the Diffusion of Useful 
Knowledge is foimied on the model of the British association 
for the same purpose, and with a similar designation, whose 
labors and influence have been so extensively useful. Thus 
far, this American society has directed its attention chiefly to 
the encouragement of elementary works for the advancement 
of a more accurate, sound, and thorough general education, 
and especially school-books, with the design of inducing the 
preparation of such books, even the most rudimental, upon 
the principles of a more enlightened mental philosophy, and 
with a more just adaptation of them to the uses to which 
they are applied. 

The New York Athen.eum was established in 1824, for 
the promotion of science and literature. It has a library of 
about 2,000 volumes, a reading-room supplied with the most 
valuable periodicals and newspapers, foreign and domestic ; 



36 DESCRIPTION OF 

and provision is made for a series of lectures by different per- 
sons, associates and others, every winter. Its rooms are at 
the corner of Broadway and Chambers-street. 

The Clinton Hall Association was organized in 1830, 
for the cultivation and encouragement of literature, science, 
and the arts. Its rooms are at Clinton Hall, on Beekman- 
street, at the corner of Nassau. 

The New York Literary and Philosophical Society 
was incorporated in March, 1814, and in May held its inau- 
gural meeting. Its meetings for the promotion of its objects 
are monthly, and from the essays and other communications 
then presented, selections are made, which, with the anni- 
versary discourses from its Presidents, are published from 
time to time in its Transactions, and embrace within their 
scope the various branches of human knowledge. 

The Rutgers Female Institute, incorporated in 1838, is 
subject to the visitorial authority of the Regents of the State 
University, and has more of a collegiate organization than 
most female schools. The Faculty of instruction and imme- 
diate government consists of a Principal and seven or eight 
Professors, with several assistant teachers, male and female ; 
and the course of studies embraces an ample range of science 
and literature, besides the accomplishments usually taught in 
such seminaries. It is situated in Madison-street, near Clin- 
ton-street. The edifice is spacious, neat, and substantial ; 
and the site is elevated, pleasant, and salubrious. 

The New York Sacred Music Society was organized in 
1823, for the cultivation of sacred music. The members 
meet at their Hall, in Chatham-street Chapel, (where they 
have a library,) every Monday evening. 

In addition to the above, there are several other institutions 
of a literary and scientific character. 



NEW YORK CITY. 37 



INSTITUTIONS FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE FINE 
ARTS. 

The National Academy of Design, established in 1826, 
has for its specific object the promotion of painting, sculpture, 
architecture, and engraving, as arts of design. With this 
view, its exhibitions include only the works of living artists ; 
and of theirs, such only as have not already been exhibited. 
In aid of the same object, the plan of the society embraces 
also direct instruction in these arts, by means of schools for 
drawing, and lectures for developing the principles of art in a 
systematic and scientific manner. The Academy has a val- 
uable collection of models of various kinds, and premiums are 
annually dispensed to successful competitors among its pupils. 
Its rooms are in the Hall of the New York Society Library, 
348 Broadway, at the corner of Leonard-street. 

The American Art Union, first organized under the name 
of Apullo Association, in 18.38, was incorporated in 1840, and 
took its present name in 1844. Its special aim is the ad- 
vancement of American Art, particularly the two arts of 
painting and engraving. Every person who pays ^5 into its 
treasury in any one year, is a member for that year. Of the 
funds thus raised, after paying necessary expenses, a portion 
is applied to the procurement, every year, of one or more 
large engravings of choice paintings, and of such engravings, 
every member is entitled to a copy. The residue of the funds 
is devoted, through the agency of a " Committee of Manage- 
ment," to the purchase of paintings executed by artists resi- 
dent in this country, and by native artists, whether at home 
or abroad ; and the paintings so purchased are distributed, by 
lot, at each annual meeting, among the members. Until 
thus distributed, these paintings are hung up in the gallery 
of the Union for exhibition, with such others as may be 
brought for the purpose, or for sale for the benefit of the au- 
thor. This gallery is constantly open gratuitously. The m- 
stitution is considered very successful and useful. 
4 



38 DESCRIPTION OF 



MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS. 

The College of Physicians and Surgeons, the oldest 
medical school in the city, was founded in 1807 by a charter 
from the stiite legislature, granted on the recommendation of 
the Board of Regents of the State University, to whose visi- 
torial power the College is subject. Its immediate govern- 
ment is vested in a Board of Trustees, and its Medical Fac- 
ulty consists of 7 Professors, who deliver each three full courses 
of lectures every year. Its graduates, in order to become 
candidates for the degree of M. D. at this College, must each 
have pursued medical studies at least 3 years under a regu- 
larly licensed physician — must have attended during the 3 
years at least two full courses of medical lectures, the last 
course at this College — must have written a medical disserta- 
tion, and undergone the stated examination, and have reached 
the full age of 21 years. This College is situated in Crosby- 
street, one block east of Broadway, betvi^een Broome and 
Spring streets. 

The Medical Department of the University of the 
City of New York, though, as a branch of the University, it 
is under the general control of the University Council, yet, 
as a medical school, has a distinct organization and a separate 
locality. Its Medical Faculty consists of 6 Professors, be- 
sides a Demonstrator of Anatomy under the direction of the 
Anatomical Professor, and a Prosector as an adjunct to the 
Professor of Surgery. Its graduates, in order to obtain the 
diploma of M. D., must each be 21 years old — must have 
studied medicine not less than 3 years under some physician 
of good standing — must have attended, during the 3 years, 
at least two courses of medical lectures, one of which must 
have been at this school — and must submit to the Faculty a 
medical thesis, and undergo the regular examinations of the 
institution. This Medical College is at 659 Broadway, a 
handsome edifice originally known as the Stuyvesant Insti- 



NEW YORK CITY. 39 

tute, but subsequently purchased for the Medical Department 
of the New York University. 

The New York Hospital, situated on the west side of 
Broadway, between Duane and Anthony streets, and the 
oldest institution of the kind in the country, was founded by 
private subscription as early as 1709, and received its first 
cliarter on the 13th of July, 1776, nine days after the De- 
claration of American Independence, from Lord Dunmore. 
who was still provincial Governor. The State Legislature, 
in 1801, confirmed the charter, with some amendments, and 
at different times made grants of money in aid of its funds, 
particularly in 1806, when an act passed granting to the 
Hospital $12,000 a year, to be taken from the proceeds of 
the auction duty, until 1857. This establishment can receive, 
for mediCal or surgical treatment, about 200 patients at a 
time ; it is well arranged and regulated, and the professional 
attendants are of the first character. It has a valuable 
library of about 4,000 volumes, a large theatre for surgical 
operations, and, besides the various other appropriate accom- 
modations, it has within its enclosure a garden for esculent 
vegetables, and fruit for the benefit of convalescent patients. 
The Board of Governors of this Hospital have, also, the gen- 
eral control of the Bloomingdale Lunatic Asylum. 

The New York Eye Infirmary, at 47 Howard-street, 
was founded in 1820, and is the oldest institution of its kind 
in this country. It is under the management of a Board of 
Directors, and has four surgeons in attendance, who are ex 
officio Directors. More than 25,000 patients have found re- 
lief at this very useful institution since its establishment. 

The Medical Society of the City and County of New 
York, organized, as in all the other counties in the State, 
inider a State law, has about 500 members, which number is 
less tl'.an the whole number of physicians and surgeons in the 
city by about 200. It was originally organized in 1806, and 
holds ils regular meetings on the second Monday of each 
month. These societies have authority to grant licenses to 



40 DESCRIPTION OF 

practice medicine and surgery, and have Boards of Censors 
to examine candidates. 

The New York Dispensary, on the corner of White and 
Centre streets, was first organized in 1790, and incorporated 
in 1795, for the relief of such siclc persons as are too indigent 
to pay for medical assistance. It is sustained by subscriptions 
and donations of money, medicines, «fcc. A subscription of 
^5 makes a member for one year, with the right to place 
two persons on the list of patients for that year ; and for 
every ^2.50 more, another patient. The subscription of ^50, 
at one time, makes a member for life, with the right to have 
two patients continually on the list. The institution is man- 
aged by a Board of Trustees, who hold stated meetings on 
the third Monday of every month. Attending and consult- 
ing physicians, and apothecaries, are annually appointed by 
the Trustees, and the more conveniently and fully to accom- 
plish the purposes of the institution, the city is divided into 
districts, to each of which an attending physician is assigned, 
whose duty it is to attend upon such patients therein as have 
the requisite certificate from a member, and are not able to 
present themselves at the rooms of the Dispensary. At the 
rooms an apothecary attends daily. A Vaccine Department 
is also attached to this institution. Many thousand sick per- 
sons are relieved every year by this very benevolent and use- 
ful institution. 

The Northern Dispensary was established in 1827, a 
single institution (the New York Dispensary) having been 
found inadequate to the increasing wants of the rapidly grow- 
ing city. The new Dispensary is organized much like the 
former, and has its rooms at the corner of Christopher-street 
and Waver] ey Place. 

The Eastern Dispensary, organized on the same princi- 
ples as the two others, was established in 1834, to meet the 
still increasing necessities of the city in this department of 
benevolent action. Its rooms are at 275 Division-street. 

The Vaccine, or Kine-Pock Institution, is connected 



NEW YORK CITY. 41 

with the City Dispensary, and under the regulation of its 
managers. Soon after the great discovery of Jenner, some 
of the most distinguished physicians ia the city inlroduced 
the practice of vaccine inoculation here, and, with the co- 
operation of other philanthropic citizens, they induced, in 
1802, the Trustees of the Dispensary to take the manage- 
ment of this matter, and since that time gratuitous vaccina- 
tion has been performed by the Dispensary physicians. Many 
thousands have been shielded from that terrible disease, tlie 
smallpox, and the city protected, to its incalculable benefit, 
from its ravages. The prejudices of ignorance, in some 
cases, doubtless, stimulated by a sordid self-interest, made 
considerable resistance to the use of the vaccine matter, and 
they still manifest themselves, on a small scale, and to a 
limited extent, occasionally ; but they are, for the most part, 
ovf^rcome by the force of experience ; and the chief point of 
difficulty, or complaint now, is negligence, rather than hostilty. 

The College of Pharmacy, chartered in 1831, and com- 
posed chiefly of druggists and apoihocaries, has for its cl)ject 
the preparation of medicines on scientific principles and in the 
most accurate manner. The object is one of momentous im- 
portance, and the more fully to secure that object, and extend 
its usefulness, courses of lectures are annuall)'^ delivered, by 
professors attached to the institution, on pharmacy, materia 
medica, and chemistry. 

The Society of Surgeon Dentists, formed for promoting 
a thorough scientific knowledge of the diseases which affect 
the teeth, and the proper modes of treating them, as well as 
preparing and fitting artificial teeth, is another useful institu- 
tion, the objects of which are aided by annual lectures under 
its auspices. 

The Lunatic Asylum, at Bloomingdale, is under the gen- 
eral control of the Board of Governors of the New York 
Hospital ; but the management of its interior and local con- 
cerns is committed to a Warden and Matron, while the care 
and treatment of the insane patients are intrusted to a Su- 
4* 



42 DESCRIPTION OF 

perintendent, who is a physician, resident at the institution, 
and has the assistance of nurses and other attendants. Pa- 
tients are received only on the certificate of two magis- 
trates, sustained by the testiitiony of not less than two wit- 
nesses, that the persons in question should not be left at large. 
No free patients are admitted, and the charge for board varies, 
according to circumstances, from ^2 to ^10 per week: 200 
can be accommodated at a time. The situation is very pleas- 
ant, on a fine elevation, about 80 rods from the margin of 
the Hudson, with extensive grounds judiciously arranged, 
commanding a wide and varied prospect, and producing 
cheerful impressions. The institution has a high reputation. 

The Board of Health is composed of the Mayor, Alder- 
men, and Assistant Aldermen, any seven of whom, the 
Mayor being one, form a quorum. They have power to or- 
der the removal of all nuisances injurious to health, to provide 
medicines and assistance for the sick poor, and to do what- 
ever the preservation of the public health may require. 

The Marine Hospital, established under an act of the 
State Legislature, in 1820, is at the Quarantine Ground, on 
Staten Island. Though not withiu the limits of the city, it is 
attached to the city as a seaport, and is under the control 
and management of a Board called Health Commissioners, 
who are residents of the city, and are separately styled Health 
Officer, Resident Physician, and Health Commissioner, all 
appointed annually by the Governor and Senate of the State. 
They have the disposal and management of the sick coming 
by sea, vessels arriving being visited by the Health Officer, 
for the purpose of inspecting their bills of health and examin- 
ing their condition. 

The Seamen's Retreat, a hospital for the reception of sick 
and disabled seamen, is situated at Stapleton, on Staten 
Island, near the Quarantine Ground. It was founded by a 
law of the state in 1830, levying a tax on each master of a 
vessel of ^1.50 for each foreign voyage, and $1, for every 
mariner, and 25 cents for each voyage coastwise ; which en- 



NEW YORK CITY. 43 

titles each individual to the benefits of the hospital, while sick 
or disabled. This institution was opened for the reception of 
patients October 1, 1831, since which time have been admit- 
ted above 10,000 patients. The institution is managed by a 
Board of Trustees, five of whom are appointed by the Gov- 
ernor and Senate, six are Trustees by virtue of their offices, 
and five more are elected by them, forming a board of six- 
teen. The amount collected is about $27,000 annually ; in 
addition to which, the Retreat has had a loan of $45,000 
from the funds of the Marine Hospital, arising from alien 
passengers. The hospital is a valuable building — is of three 
stories, 208 feet by 52, having wings of 34 feet in depth, and 
two stories in height. This hospital cost $100,000 and will 
accommodate 200 patients. Attached to this Retreat are 37 
acres of land, which cost the state about $10,000. 



BENEVOLENT, RELIGIOUS, AND MORAL SOCIETIES. 

The institutions coming under this head are so numerous 
in this city, as to forbid a detailed account of their operations. 
Their leading objects are indicated with sufficient accuracy 
by their titles, and the following list, arranged in alphabetical 
order, embraces all, it is believed, that are now in operation. 

A7n. Anti-Slavery Soc, organized in 1843, has its office at 
143 Neissau-street. 

Am. Bible Soc, organized in 1816. House at 115 Nassau- 
street, where the printing, binding, and other business of the 
Society is transacted, and its Bibles are deposited. 

Am. Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, es- 
tablished in 1810, has its office at 150 Nassau-street, second 
story. 

Am. and Foreign Bible Soc, formed by the Baptists in 
1836. Office at 350 Broome-street. 



44 DrSCRIPTION OF 

A7n. and Foreign Anti-Slavery Soc. Office at 22 Spruce- 
street. 

Am. Home Missionary Soc, formed in 1826. Office at 150 
Nassau-street, second stor}^ 

Am. Protestant Soc. Office at 150 Nassau-street, 2d story. 

Am. Sabbath Tract Soc. Office at 9 Spruce-street. 

Am. Seamen's Friend Soc. Office at 82 Wall -street. 

Am. Shipwreck Soc. Office in the west end of New City 
Hall. 

A7n. Soc. for Meliorating the Condition of the Jews. 
Office at 23 Nassau-street. 

Am. Sunday School Union. Office at 147 Nassau-street. 

Am. Temperance Union. Office at 149 Nassau-street. 

A7n. Tract Soc. Office at 150 Nassau-street 

British Protective Emigrant Soc. Office at 93 Green- 
wich-street. 

Central Am. Education Soc. Office at 2 Brick Church 
Chapel, Nassau-street. 

City Bible Soc, (Baptist.) Office at 350 Broome-sfreet. 

Domestic Mission Soc, (Baptist.) Office at 12 Maiden 
Lane. 

Female Moral Reform Soc. Office at 36 Park Row. 

Foreign Evangelical Soc. Office at 1 Dey-street. 

French Benevolent Soc. Office at 22 Old Slip. 

Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. Office at 86 Pine-street. 

German Franklin Benevolent Soc. Room at 532 PearT- 
street. 

German Soc. of City N. Y. Agent at 95 Greenwich- 
street. 

Hebrew Benevolent Soc. Secretary at 89 Water-street. 

Hibernian Universal Benevolent Soc Room at 42 Prince- 
street. 

Hoyne Mission Soc, (Baptist.) Office at 350 Broome -street. 

House of Refuge for Juvenile Delinquents. Institution^ 
23d-street, near East River. 

Irish Emigrant Soc. Agency at 6 Ann-street. 



NEW YORK CITY. 45 

Italian Benevolent Soc. Treasurer at 79 Greenwich-street. 

Leake and Watts Orphan Asylum. Between 4th and 5th 
Avenues, near lOOth-street. 

Lying-in Hospital. Marion -street, No. 85, for destitute 
females. 

Magdalen Female Benevolent Asylum. Situated between 
88th and 89th streets, west of Harlem Railroad. 

Marine Soc. Treasurer at 62 South-street. 

Mariners^ Female hidustrial Soc. Clothing store at 325 
Pearl-street. 

Merchants' Vigilant Assoc. To detect and prevent frauds 
and abuses in trade. Treasurer at 157 Pearl-street. 

Mechanics' and Tradesmen's Soc. School at 32 Crosby- 
street. 

Methodist Missionary Soc. Office at 200 Mulberry -street. 

Methodist Bible Soc. 

Methodist Tract Soc. 

Methodist Book Concern. No. 200 Mulberry-street. 

N. Y. Prison Association. Recently organized for the meli- 
oration of the condition of convicts and others in prison, and 
to aid in procuring lawful employment for them after their 
discharge ; and to contribute to the improvement of prison 
discipline. Its objects are truly benevolent, and it is doing 
much good. 15 Centre-street. 

New England Soc. Treasurer, 89 Wall-street. 

JV. y. Typographical Soc. Treasurer, 296 Front-street. 

N. Y. Bible Soc. 115 Nassau-street, and 82 Wall-street. 

N. Y. Bible and Common Prayer Book Soc, at 20 John- 
street. 

N. Y. City Sunday School Soc. (Methodist.) 200 Mul- 
berry-street. 

A'. Y. City Tract Soc. 150 Nassau-street. 

iV. Y. Marine Bible Soc. 82 Wall-street. 

N. Y. State Colonization Soc. Office in Brick Church 
Chapel. 

N. Y. Sunday School Union. Office, 152 Nassau-street 



46 DESCRIPTION OF 

N. Y. Orphan Asylum. Bloomingdale, near 60th-street, 
five miles from the City Hall. Established in 1807. 

Old Ladies^ Retreat. In 20th-street, near 2d Avenue. 

Presbyterian Board of Education. Office at 23 Centre- 
street. 

Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions. Office at 23 
Centre-street. 

Presbyterian Board Domestic Missions. Office at 23 
Centre-street. 

Protestant Half-Orphan Asylum. 6th Avenue, between 
10th and 11th streets. 

Protestant Episcopal City Miss. Soc. Treasurer at 66 
Wall-street. 

Prot. Epis. Diocesan Miss. Com. Treasurer at 55 Water- 
street. 

Prot. Epis. Dom. Soc. to Promote Rel. and Learning. 
Treasurer 51 South-street. 

Prot. Epis. Gen. Miss. Dom. Com. 281 Broadway. 

Prot. Epis. Gen. Miss. For. Com. 281 Broadway. 

Prot. Epis. Gen. Sun. Sch. Union. 20 John-etreet. 

Prot. Epis. Tract. Soc. 20 John-street. 

Ro7n. Cath. Orphan Asylum. Prince-street, corner of 
Mott-street. Incorporated 1817. 

Rom. Cath. Half-Orphan Asylum. In llth-street, near 
7th Avenue. 

Sailors' Snug Harbor. Originally in the city, but now 
on Staten Island. Founded by funds devised for the purpose 
by Captain Robert B. Randall, who died in 1801, for the 
maintenance of aged and infirm seamen. A spacious edifice, 
with a farm of 160 acres. 

Sun. School Union, (Methodist.) Office, 200 Mulberry- 
street. 

St. Andrew^ s Soc. Treasurer, 51 Exchange Place. 

St. David's Soc. of N. Y. and Brooklyn. Treasurer, 31 
Wall-street. 

St. George^s Ben. Soc. Treasurer, 126 Maiden Lane. 



NEW YORK CITY. 47 

St. Nicholas's Soc. Treasurer, 11 Piue-street. 
United Irish Repeal Ass. Treasurer, 15 Duane-street. 
Welsh Ben. Soc. City N. Y. Office at 93 Greenwich- 
street. 



COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATIONS. 

Chamber of Commerce. This institution was organized as 
ionor ago as 1768, for promoting the general commercial and 
navigating interests of the city. It was incorporated in 1770, 
and had its charter renewed and modified in 1784. Its meet- 
ings are held the first Tuesday in each month, at its room 
in the Merchants' Exchange. At these meetings all matters 
appertaining to trade and navigation, whether foreign or do- 
mestic, and to the business concerns of the city, both local 
and general, are legitimate subjects of discussion. 

N. Y. Board of Trade. This institution is similar in its 
general organization and objects to the Chamber of Com- 
merce. 

N. Y. Commercial Exchange Association. The title of 
this association indicates its objects. Its meetings are daily 
and public, in the Rotunda of the Merchants' Exchange. 

N. Y. Stock and Exchange Board. This board, with ob- 
jects indicated sufficiently by its title, holds daily meetings 
also in the Merchants' Exchange. 

Mariners' and Merchants' Association. The specific 
object of this institution is to keep a register of all unemployed 
shipmasters and other officers, and seamen. Office in Wall- 
street. 



43 DESCRIPTION OF 



PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

Public School Society. — In 1805 an association was in- 
corporated under the title of the Public School Society of 
New York, for the purpose of better organizing the common 
or district schools, and more effectually providing for the suc- 
cessful accomplishment of their great object, a sound and 
sufficient elementary education of the children of the city. 
The general functions of this Society are exercised by 66 
Trustees, chosen by the whole body of members. The Tnis- 
tees are organized as a Board, with a President, Vice Presi- 
dent, Treasurer, and Secretary ; and they are also divided 
into sections, corresponding in number with the sections into 
which the city is divided, that number being 18, in each of 
which is a school organized by the Society, and under its 
superintendence ; the immediate care and supervision of 
which school are committed to a section of the Trustees. 
Each of these schools has two departments ; one for the more 
advanced pupils, and a primary department for the younger 
ones, with separate rooms, and male and female teachers for the 
boys and girls respectively. Besides these 18 Public Schools, 
the Society has also under its authority and care, 50 other 
Public Primary Schools, visited and superintended, like the 
former, by the same standing sections of the Trustees. Both 
of the above sets of schools are for white children ; and in 
addition thereto, there are two schools of the first description, 
and three of the latter, for colored children, all under the au- 
thority and charge of this Public School Society. Besides 
the officers and sections of the Trustees already mentioned, 
they have eight standing committees composed of their own 
members, viz., 1. Executive Committee ; 2. on Finance ; 3. on 
Primary Schools ; 4. on Supplies ; 5. on Property ; 6. on Li- 
braries ; 7. on the Appointment and Salaries of Teachers ; 
8. on Books. The revenue of the Common School Fund of 
the State is distributed according to the number of children 
between five and sixteen years of age, reported to the Super- 



NEW YORK CITY. 49 

intendent General as attending the legally organized schools. 
Of these moneys, this Society receives its share according to 
the ratio mentioned ; and it makes report annually to the 
State Superintendent. 

Board of Education. — Besides the foregoing Society, the 
city has another Board, of recent organization, called the 
Board of Education of the City and County of Neio York, 
which has jurisdiction over a different set of common schools, 
designated Ward Schools, and is itself placed on the same 
general footing as the common school functionaries in the 
towns and counties of the State at large, being amenable to 
the County Superintendent and to the Superintendent Gen- 
eral of the State. This Board is composed of the Common 
School Commissioners of all the wards in the city, two being 
the number for each of the eighteen wards, one of whom is 
elected every year by the people at the school election in 
June. This Board is organized by the appointment of a Pres- 
ident and Clerk, made by the members at their first regular 
meeting after each annual election mentioned above. The 
Board, when thus formed, is divided by the President into 
Visiting Committees, whose duty it is to visit such of the 
ward schools as are assigned to them, and to keep written 
minutes of the condition and management of each school, for 
the purpose of informing the Board. The President is also 
required, on or before the first meeting of the Board after his 
own appointment, to appoint the standing committees, which 
ai-e eleven in number, on the following subjects ; — 1. on Fi- 
nance ; 2. on Accounts to be Audited ; 3. on School Reports 
and the Apportionment of School Fund Moneys ; 4. on Ap- 
plications for New Schools ; 5. on Conferences with Trustees 
of Schools ; 6. on Applications to Common Council and Su- 
pervisors ; 7. on Buildings and Repairs ; 8. on Reports from 
Ward Inspectors, Trustees, and Teachers ; 9. on Printing ; 
10. on School Books ; 11. on Annual Report. Of these ward 
schools there are sixteen, with two departments in each, and 
separate rooms, and male and female teachers for the boys 
5 



50 DESCRIPTION OF 

and girls respectively ; and three Primary Ward Schools, be- 
sides one Ward School for colored children. 

The whole number of children attending all the public 
common schools in the city is nearly 60,000. 

In addition to the foregoing schools, there are several others 
at the villages on the upper part of the island, but under the 
jurisdiction of some one of the school authorities, though not 
included in the particular arrangements for supervision above 
described. These are the Harlem School, on I20th-street, 
between 2d and 3d Avenues ; the Yorkville Public School, 
on 86th-street, between 4th and 5th Avenues ; the Manhat- 
tanville Free School, on 130th-street, near 11th Avenue ; and 
the Hamilton Free School, at Fort Washington. 

Several well-conducted and valuable schools are also con- 
nected with some of the benevolent associations of the city. 
Of this kind is the large school of the Mechanics' Society, 
kept at 32 Crosby-street ; the New York Orphan Asylum 
School, and the Leake and Watts Orphan House School, bolh 
in Bloomingdale ; the Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum 
School, at the corner of Prince and Mott streets ; and the 
Roman Catholic Half-Orphan School, in llth-street, near 
7t.h Avenue ; the Protestant Half-Orphan School, in 6th Av- 
enue, between lOth and 11th streets; and the School of the 
Association for the Benefit of Colored Orphans, in 5th Ave- 
nue, between 43d and 44th streets. 

There has also recently been chartered by the State Legis- 
lature, (1847, subject to a vote of approval by the people of 
the city.) and an appropriation made for organizing, a Free 
Academtj, where the higher branches of education will be 
taught, by competent teachers, free of all charge to the stu- 
dents, who will be selected, according to merit, from the publiic 
schools of the city already organized. 



NEW YORK CITY. 51 



PLACES OF AMUSEMENT. 



There are in the city five Theatres, besides many other 
places of Amusement of different kinds. 

The Park Theatre, the oldest in the city, fronts on Park 
Row, facing the Park and the Astor House. It was origin- 
ally built in 1798, and was altered and improved in 1806 ; 
the interior was burnt accidentally in 1820, but reconstructed, 
in 1821, with increased elegance, and more appropriate and 
tasteful decorations : it will seat about 2,400 persons. 

The Bowery Theatre, first erected in 1826, was burnt 
down in May, 1828, but forthwith rebuilt and opened in 
August of the same year. It has been twice burnt and re- 
built since that time. The present edifice is a handsome 
specimen of the Doric style, and the interior is fitted up with 
taste and elegance. Its dimensions are about the same as 
those of the Park Theatre. 

The Chatham Theatre and Circus is on Chatham-street, 
near the corner of Rosevelt-street, and combines the attrac- 
tions of dramatic and equestrian enterteiinments. It has a 
spacious pit and three tiers of boxes, and can seat comforta- 
bly over 1,000 persons. It is handsomely fitted up and deco- 
rated, and is much frequented. 

The Olympic Theatre, on Broadway, a little north of Ca- 
nal-street, was constructed in 1837. It met with little suc- 
cess till 1839, when it was taken by the present lessee, under 
whose skilful management it has become a popular place of 
entertainment. 

The Broadway Theatre, now rapidly progressing on the 
site at the corner of Broadway and Anthony-street, is to be the 
most magnificent of the kind in the New World. The cost 
of the building, we understand, is estimated at $55,000. The 
fa9ade on Broadway will be of brick, 75 feet in width, and 
stuccoed in imitation of marble. It will be three stories — 73 
feet^n height, with a very rich and bold cornice, and a rus- 
ticated basement. It will be 175 feet deep and 25 feet iu 



52 DESCRIPTION OF 

the rear, with a front of 25 feet on Anthony-street. The 
stage will be 45 feet in width at the proscenium, and 80 feet 
deep. There are to be three tiers of boxes, the first tier hav- 
ing sofas with spring seats. The parquette is to be fitted up 
with cushioned seats, and will comfortably hold 460 persons. 
The whole house will seat 4,000. The proscenium is mod- 
elled on a novel plan, admirably calculated for conveying 
sound. The shape of the auditorium is a great improvement 
on the old-fashioned horse-shoe plan, and well calculated to 
afford a clear view of the stage from all parts of the house. 
The height of the dome, from the centre of the pit, will be 
58 feet. The decorations of the interior are elegantly de- 
signed grotesques, to be gilt on a very light ground. The 
tiers of boxes are supported on slender fluted shafts with 
gilded Corinthian capitals. The house will be lighted by 
small chandeliers suspended from each box, and from gas 
nanufactured in the establishment. 

An Opera House has been fitted up in Chambers-street, 
adjoining the Arcade Baths, and is called Palmo's New York 
Opera House, or more commonly and briefly, Palvid's. 

Anew Opera House is now (1847) erecting in Astor Place, 
between Broadway and the Bowery, which will, no doubt, 
be a fashionable place of resort 

The Bowery Amphitheatre, or Circus, is in the Bowery, 
near the Theatre, and its equestrian performances are much 
frequented. 

Castle Garden, at the southwest angle of the Battery, is 
also a place of much attraction. This Castle was built by 
the United States Government for one of the defences of the 
city, but having been subsequently judged useless for that 
purpose, was ceded to the city corporation in 1823, and has 
ever since been leased and occupied as a place of public en- 
tertainment and recreation, and for the display of splendid 
fireworks on public occasions. It is sometimes used for great 
meetings of the people, and 10,000 persons can be received 
within its walls. 



NEW YORK CITY. 53 

Niblo's Garden, on Broadway, at the corner of Prince- 
street. The buildings attached to this favorite place of 
amusement were destroyed by fire, September 19, 1846. 

Vauxhall Garden, in the Bowery, between Great Jones 
and Eighth streets, is also arranged for dramatic performan- 
ces, concerts, the display of fireworks, and other entertain- 
ments. It is the oldest place of the kind in the city, and 
under its present managers, is much frequented, especially 
in the warm season. 

There are, also, many other public gardens distributed about 
the city, pleasantly arranged with shaded walks, alcoves, and 
seats, where the ices and other refreshments supphed at such 
places can always be had in good order. 

The American Museum, at the corner of Broadway and 
Ann-street, is a favorite and much-frequented resort, of long 
standing, both for amusement and instruction. It was found- 
ed by the late John Scudder, in 1810, and now contains an 
immense collection of curiosities, natural and artificial, brought 
together with great pains and cost. The collections of shells, 
insects, and minerals, are very full and valuable ; as, also, is 
that of the implements of war, domestic utensils, idols, and 
other things appertaining to various savage tribes, especially 
those of the South Sea islands, and serving to illustrate their 
habits, customs, and general condition. The collections of 
antique coins, armor, rare engravings, sculptures, paintings, 
&c., are extensive and interesting. There is also a series of 
very striking cosmoramic views, including the most celebrated 
cities, scenes, and natural phenomena, executed, many of 
them, by accomplished artists. The various specimens of 
this museum now amount, it is said, to more than half a 
million in number, and are arranged in six splendid halls, each 
100 feet in length. A saloon with seats for 1,000 persons has 
been annexed to this establishment, for dramatic entertain- 
ments every evening except Sundays. 
5* 



54 DESCRIPTION OF 



HOTELS AND PUBLIC HOUSES. 

No city is more amply supplied with Hotels and other 
Houses, for the accommodation of travellers and permanent 
boarders, than New York. The most noted are situated on 
Broadway, and they are usually thronged with persons from 
all parts of the Union, and from foreign countries. 

The AsTOR House, built of granite, is a very extensive and 
imposing edifice ; being five stories high, and calculated to 
accommodate 400 guests. It is situated on Broadway, occu- 
pying the whole of the front of the block between Barclay 
and Vesey streets. 

The other Hotels of note are included in the following 
enumeration : 

American Hotel, Broadway, corner of Barclay-street. 

Atlantic Hotel, 5 Broadway, near the Battery. 

Battery Hotel, 8 Battery Place. 

Carlton House, Broadway, corner of Leonard -street. 

City Hotel, Broadway, between Cedar and Thames sts. 

Clinton Hotel, Beekman, corner of Nassau-street. 

Croton Hotel, (Temperance,) 142 Broadway. 

Delmonico's Hotel, 25 Broadway. 

Dunning's Hotel, Cortlandt, corner of Washington-street. 

Franklin House, Broadway, corner of Dey-street. 

Globe Hotel, 66 Broadway. 

Howard's Hotel, Broadway, corner of Maiden-Lane. 

Judson's Hotel, 61 Broadway. 

Lovejoy's Hotel, Park Row, corner of Beekman-street. 

Mansion House, (Bunker's,) 39 Broadway. 

Merchants' Hotel, Cortlandt, near Greenwich-street. 

National Hotel, 5 Cortlandt-street. 

New York Hotel, 721 Broadway. 

Northern Hotel, Cortlandt, corner of West-street. 

Pacific Hotel, 162 Greenwich-street. 

Pearl-Street House, 88 Pearl-street. 

Rathbun's Hotel, 165 Broadway. 



NEW YORK CITY. 55 

United States Hotel, Fulton, between Pearl and Water- 
streets. 

Western Hotel, 9 Cortlandt-street, near Broadway. 

Tammanv Hall, Nassau, corner of Frankfort-street, and 
several other Public Houses, are kept on the European Plan, 
of letting out rooms by the day or week, and the occupant 
getting his meals when and where he chooses. 

There are numerous private Boardlng Houses, in different 
parts of the city, affording all the quiet and comfort that can 
be desired, varying in their charges according to their situa- 
tion and style of living. 

There are also upwards of one hundred Restaurants, or 
Eating Houses in the city, the greater portion of which are 
in the lower parts, in the more immediate vicinity of the com- 
mercial and mercantile establishments. They are much re- 
sorted to by residents during business hours, and by strangers, 
to whom they are very convenient. Their bills of fare and 
cookery are generally good, in some instances of the first 
quality, and their charges reasonable. These are all exclu- 
sive of the Oyster Houses and Cellars, which are numerous 
in all quarters of the city. 



OMNIBUSES, HACKNEY COACHES, AND CABS. 

These conveyances throng the principal streets, especially 
Broadway and the Bowery. 

The Omnibuses, with their routes named in bold letters on 
€ach side, just under the roof, run between the lower and 
upper parts of the city, at all times of the day, Sundays ex- 
cepted, from early morning till bedtime, taking up and setting 
"down passengers at all intermediate points ; and the charge 
for any distance is 6\ cents. These carriages are owned and 
run by private persons, who take out licenses, and though 
their fare is not fixed by law, the competition is so great as 
to keep the price down to the rate mentioned. 



56 DESCRIPTION OF 

The Hacks and Cabs have their /ere, as well as their sev- 
eral stands and other matters, regulated by law. The rates 
for given distances and times are printed in detail, on cards, 
cue of which must be always affixed to the inside of the car- 
riage for the inspection of passengers ; and no pay for con- 
veyance can be lawfully demanded, or received, if such card 
be not so affixed. The legal charge for carrying one or more 
persons any distance not exceeding one mile, is 25 cents 
each ; for more than one mile and not exceeding two miles, 
50 cents for one person, and 25 cents for each additional 
person ; the New Alms House, Bellevue, 50 cents, and re- 
turning, 50 cents ; but for two persons, 75 cents for the two, 
each way, and each additional person, 25 cents each way. 
For taking one or more persons to Harlem, staying there three 
hours, and returning, the whole charge is ^4. For taking 
one or more persons to Kingsbridge, staying all day, and re- 
turning, the whole charge is ^5. For the use of Hack, or 
Cab, by the hour, for one or more persons, with the privilege 
of going from place to place and stopping as often as required, 
the charge for the first hour is ^1, for the second hour, 75 
cents ; for the third hour, 50 cents ; and 50 cents for every 
additional hour. For children between two and fourteen 
years old, in each of the foregoing cases, half-price only is 
allowed ; and for all under tvo year-, no charfre v/hatevcr. 
For the detention of a carriage, except as above provided, an 
extra charge is allowed of 75 cents for the first hour, and at 
that rate for any part of it ; and 37^ cents for each additional 
hour, with that rate for any part thereof. Each person has 
the right to have one trunk, valise, bag, or other parcel of 
luggage carried with him free of charge ; but for every par- 
cel more than one, 6 cents is allowed. No driver, or owner, 
who demands more than the fixed rates, shall have any pay 
at all ; and, besides, if he violates the law in this or any 
other particular, he is liable to a penalty of ^10, on com- 
plaint at the Mayor's office, in the City Hall, or at the office 
of the Chief of Police, in the New City Hall. 



NEW YORK CITY. 51! 



HACKNEY COACH STANDS. 

The Stands for Hackney Coaches and Cabs, as fixed by 
law, are as follows : 1. By the Bowling Green, at the lower 
€nd of Broadway. 2. In front of Trinity churchyard, in 
Broadway. 3. On the Broadway side of the Park. 4. In 
Hanover Square, near Pearl-street. 5. In Hudson-street, at 
St. John's Park. 6. In Hudson-street, near Duane-street. 
7. In Chatham Sqfiare. 8. In Canal-street, near Broadway. 
9. In the immediate vicinity of the several steamboat docks. 



CARTMEN AND PUBLIC PORTERS. 

Cartmen are allowed by law 31i cents for all ordinary 
loads, for any distance less than half a mile ; one-third more 
for every additional half-mile, and not exceeding two miles. 

Public Portf;rs, for carting a load in a hand-cart, for any 
distance not exceeding half a mile, eighteen cents ; for any 
distance over half a mile, and not exceeding a mile, 31 cents j 
.^nd in that proportion for any greater distance. 



MARKETS. 

The larger and more important Markets established by 
law are the following : 

Catherine Market, in Catherine Slip, between Cherry and 
South streets. 

Centre Market, in Centre-street, between Grand and 
Broome streets. 

Clinton Market, on Washington-street, between Spring 
and Canal streets. 

Essex Market, on . Grand-street, at the corner of Essex- 
street. 



58 DESCRIPTION OF 

Franklin Market, in Old Slip, from South to Front-streets. 

Fulton Market, on South-street, between Fulton-street 
and Beekman Slip. 

Gouverneur Market, on Gouverneur-street, corner of Wa- 
ter-street. 

Greenwich Market, on Weehawken-street, corner of West- 
street. 

Jefferson Market, on 6th Avenue, corner of Greenwich 
Avenue. 

Manhattan Market, on Houston-street, corner of Ist-street. 

Monroe Market, on Corlaer-street, between Monroe and 
Grand streets. 

Tompkins Market, on 3d Avenue, between 6th and 7th 
streets. 

Union Market, on 2d-street, corner of Houston -street. 

Washington Market, on Washington-street, between Ful- 
ton and Vesey streets. 

Besides these Markets, there are very many licensed stalls 
distributed about the city, for the sale of meats, &-c., to say 
nothing of the multitude of green-grocers' shops. 



FERRIES 

The regular Ferries, established by law, on the respective 
sides of the city, and leased by the city corporation to com- 
panies or to individuals, are numerous and convenient. 

On the East River there are four Ferries to Brooklyn, 
three to Williamsburgh, and one to Astoria, on Hallet's Point, 
near Hell-Gate, and commonly called Hell-Gate Ferry. Of 
these, the starting points and distances are as follow : 

Yards. 
Fulton Ferry, foot of Fulton-street, N. Y., to Fulton-street, 

Brooklyn, 731 

Catherine Ferry, foot of Catherine-street, N. Y., to Main-street, 

Brooklyn, 700 



NEW YORK CITY. -99 

Yards. 

JVavy Yard Ferry, foot of Walnut-street, N. Y., to Jackson-street, 

Brooklyn, 635 

South. FevTj. iooi of Whitehall-olrcet; N. Y., to Atlantic-street, 

Brooklyn, 1,475 

Hamilton Ferry, foot of Whitehall-street, N. Y., to Hamilton 

Avenue, Brooklyn, 1,600 

Grand-street Ferry, foot of Grand-street, N. Y., to Williamsburg, 897 

Houston-street Ferry, foot of Houston-street, N. Y., to Williams- 
burg, 800 

Peck Slip Ferry, foot of Peck Slip, N. Y., to Williamsburg, 2,800 

Hell-Gate Ferry, foot of 86th-street, N. Y., to Astoria, 550 

On the Hudson River, to Jersey City, Hoboken, and other 
points on the Jersey shore, the Ferries are as follow : 

Tartit. 
Jersey City Ferry, foot of Cortlandt-street, N. Y., to Jersey City, 1,796 

Hoboken Ferry, foot of Barclay-street, N. Y., to Hoboken, 2,746 

Canal-street Ferry, foot of Canul-street, N. Y., to Hoboken, about 2,000 
Christopher-street Ferry, foot of Christopher-street, N. Y., to Ho- 
boken, 1,960 

Fort Lee Ferry, foot of Canal-street, N. Y., to Bull's Ferry, six 
miles, and to Fort Lee, 10 miles. 

Staten Island Quarantine Ferry starts from the foot of 
Whitehall-street, N. Y., and runs 5^ miles to the Quarantine 
Station, and to the Sailors' Retreat, both on the easterly side 
of Staten Island. 

From the city crossing the Bay there is a Ferry, which 
starts from the foot of Battery Place, at the westej-n angle of 
the Battery, near the termination of Washington-street, and 
runs to New Brighton, Sailors' Snug Harbor, Castleton, and 
Port Richmond, all on the northerly side of Staten Island. 



60 DESCRIPTION OF 



TRADE AND COMMERCE. 

The Trade and Navigation of the city of New York are 
immense. The average number of arrivals, American and 
foreign, amount to about 2,000 annually, independently of 
coasters from different parts of the Union. A great number 
of Steamboats also arrive and depart daily, carrying passen- 
gers and merchandise. The wharves are crowded with 
vessels, sometimes exceeding one thousand in number, from 
all countries, and of almost every size and rig, giving constant 
employment to a great number of mariners. 

The number of wharves or piers for the use of the shipping, 
on the East River, is 62 ; on the Hudson, 56. The numerous 
packet ships, and most of the foreign vessels, lie in the East 
River. 

The number of passengers who arrived in this city from 
foreign ports, during the year 1843, was 46,302; in 1844, it 
was 61,002; in 1845, it was 82,960; and in 1846, it was 
115,230; making the whole number, for the four years, 
305,494. 

The whole number of foreign ve^ls which arrived in 
1843, was 1,832 ; in 1844, it was 2,203 ; in 1845, it was 
2,044 ; and in 1846, it was 2,289. 



CROTON AQUEDUCT. 

Tins Aqueduct, for supplying the city of New York with 
pure and wiiolesome water, is one of the most admirable 
works of the kind to be found in any country. Excluding the 
Grand Reservoir, five miles long and having an area of about 
400 acres, occupying the bed and valley of the Croton River, 
the length of the Aqueduct, from the Dam which forms that 
Reservoir, to the Distributing Reservoir, on Murray Hill, in 
New York, is 40^ miles. The Dam is placed in the Croton 



NEW YORK CITY. 61 

River, about six miles from its confluence with the Hudson ; 
and it elevates the water in the Reservoir 40 feet to the level 
of the Aqueduct Head, or 166 feet above the top line of mean- 
tide in the Hudson. Passing- from the Dam down the Croton 
valley about six miles, the Aqueduct turns into the valley of 
the Hudson and runs southerly through Westchester county, 
32.88 miles, to the verge of the Harlem River valley. 

Throughout this distance the Aqueduct is a continuous 
conduit of stone and brick masonry. The width of the Harlem 
valley, at the height of the conduit level, is about 1,450 feet, 
or a little more than one fourth of a mile ; and the Aqueduct 
crosses it in cast-iron pipes of three feet bore, on a level 114 
feet above the ordinary high-water surface of the river. On 
reaching the southern verge of this valley, on the Island of 
New York, the pipes give place again to tiie conduit of ma- 
sonry, which thus continues for two miles and a fraction over, 
to the verge of the high ground overlooking the Manhattan 
valley. At that point the conduit level is 102 feet higher 
than the bottom of the valley, which, at the height of the 
level, is a fraction over three-fourths of a mile wide. The 
conduit passes this valley in cast-iron pipes, of the bore 
already stated, following the valley-curve ; and on ascending 
to the southern verge of the curves, the pipes again give 
place to the conduit of masonry, which, crossing the Asylum 
ridge in Bloomingdale, and the Clendenning valley, runs a 
little more than two miles, to the great Receiving Reservoir, 
on York Hill, five miles and a little over from the City Hall. 

The Receiving Reservoir includes an area of 35 acres, 
being 1,826 feet long by 836 feet wide, measuring from the 
external angles of the enclosing embankment, and it is divid- 
ed by a cross-wall into two parts of unequal capacities. From 
this Reservoir the Aqueduct, with a conduit of cast-iron pipes 
of the size before mentioned, continues a fraction over two 
miles to the Distributing Reservoir at Murray Hill. It is 
420 feet square, as measured on the cornice of the outer wall ; 
it contains an area of a little more than four acres, divided 
6 



62 DESCRIPTION OF 

into two equal parts by a partition wall ; its enclosing walls 
huve an average height of 44^ feet above the adjacent streets, 
and it is three miles from the City Hall. 

From this Reservoir the water is drawn in large cast-iron 
pipes called the Great Mains, which lead through the central 
parts of the city, and from which the distribution of the water 
for use, is made by pipes of various dimensions, diminishing in 
size as the ramifications extend. 

The aggregate length of the Great Mains is about four 
miles ; and if they be included in the linear measurement, 
together with the Croton Reservoir above the Dam, the entire 
distance falls but little short of 50 miles. 

Of tlie excavation required for grading the line and con- 
structing the Aqueduct, the larger moiety was of rock, and 
amounted to somewhat more than 400,000 cubic yards. 

The shape of the country for much of the way presents a 
succession of transverse ridges and ravines, to be cut, tunnelled, 
or embanked, and swelling the cost of the work. 

The whole number of tunnels is 16, varying in length from 
160 feet to 1,263 feet each, and making a total of 6,841 feet, 
with roofs varying from 25 feet to 75 feet in vertical depth. 

In Westchester county 25 streams are crossed, with beds 
from 12 feet to 70 feet below the grade line of the Aqueduct, 
to say nothing of many small brooks, and all requiring, for 
the safety of the work, culverts of masonry. The whole 
number of culverts is 114, varying in span, from 1^ feet to 
25 feet each, and making an aggregate length of 7,959 linear 
feet. 

The grandest structure is the Bridge over the Harlem 
River and valley. The width of the river itself is 620 feet, 
and that of the valley a little more than a quarter of a mile, 
which is the length of the Bridge. The arches over the 
river are eight in number, with a span of 80 feet each, spring- 
ing from stone piers 20 feet wide at the spring-line, which is 
60 feet above the surface of the river at high-water mark ; 
and the arches being semicircles, the spring is half the span. 



NE-^V YORK CITY. 63 

making the whole height 100 feet from the river surface to 
the soffit, or under side of the centre of these arches. On the 
north side of these large arches are six others, and on the 
south side one, of 50 feet span each, resting on piers seven 
feet wide, which, with the abutment at each end, complete 
the supports of the Bridge. The parapet walls and the whole 
superstructure are of stone ; the whole width at the top of 
the parapets being 21 feet, and the height at the same line 
being 114 feet above the water. These dimensions give the 
external aspect of this magnificent work, which is estimated 
to cost $900,000. 

The Receiving Reservoir, at York Hill, is formed with 
vast earth embankments perfectly puddled, protected exter- 
nally b)^ massy walls of stone masonry, and designed to 
contain 20 feet depth of water, measuring 150,000,000 of 
gallons. 

The Distributing Reservoir, at Murray Hill, is formed 
with double and hollow walls of heavy masonry. Their least 
height is 39 feet, and their greatest, 49 feet, strengthened at 
the corners with pilasters, or buttresses, projecting from the 
wall-face four feet, and being 40 feet wide, while at the 
points, equidistant from the corners, these buttresses are 60 
feet wide, projecting from the wall-face six feet. In both cases, 
they rise several feet above the top of the walls, which is 
guarded all round with an iron railing running along the cor- 
nice. In the central pilasters are doors leading to the pipe- 
chambers in the walls where the cocks are regulated. The 
inside of these walls is strengthened with a sloping and heavy 
puddled embankment, faced with rubble masonry and coped 
with cut stone. The bottom of the Reservoir is a dense hard- 
pan, covered with puddle two feet thick, and then floored 
one foot thick with hydraulic concrete. 

This Reservoir is calculated to hold 30 feet depth of water, 
with its surface 115 feet above mean-tide, and measuring 
20,000,000 of gallons. 

The first contracts for construction, were made in April, 



64 DESCRIPTION OF 

1837, and the work commenced in the next month. The 
whole work was so far completed, that the water was let in 
from the Croton Dam, June 22d, 1842, and was admitted 
into the Distributing Reservoir on the 4th of July following. 
The event of its completion, so far as to afford an abundant 
and constant supply of water, was celebrated with great 
pomp and parade on the 14th day of October, 1842. The 
total cost of this noble and useful work will amount to about 
^13,000,000. 

But the supply of pure and wholesome water to the inhab- 
itants of New York, for all culinary and household uses, does 
not, by any means, constitute the whole value of this great 
work. The supply of pure water, in larger abundance, to 
public bathing-houses and hospitals — its aid in cleaning streets 
— its utility as a permanent and ready protection against 
fires, and its consequent influence in reducing the expense of 
insurance and enhancing the value of property — all conducive 
to the health, comfort, safety, and economy of life — are im- 
portant blessings resulting from this work, and they are cer- 
tain to multiply with the growth of the city. Nor are these 
all its advantages. Even the means thus afforded for the 
mere embellishment of the city with fountains in the public 
squares, should not be overlooked ; for whatever adds to its 
attractions as a place of residence, is an obvious and substan- 
tial benefit to all classes, and especially to the holders of real 
estate. Of this mode of embellishment several specimens 
have already been furnished, and the Fountains in the Bowl- 
ing Green, the Park, Union Place, and St. John's Park, are 
celebrated for the height of their jets, and for picturesque 
beauty of design and general effect. 

Extract from the Mayor's Message, May 11, 1847. 

" This noble work, the Croton Aqueduct, the enduring 
monument of the enterprise of our city, of which all are so 
justly proud, and whose value is each day more and moro 
forcibly illustrated and properly appreciated, fulfils all the ex- 



NEW YORK CITY. 65 

pectations which were formed of it at its conception, and is 
rapidly approaching completion. 

" The work at the High Bridge is nearly finished, and it is 
to be hoped that the duties of the Water Commission, ap- 
pointed by the State, will then cease, and the expense thereby 
incurred be saved to the city. The amount paid for salaries 
to the officers connected with the Commission, amounted, 
last year, to the sum of $12,931.79. 

" I take great pleasure in referring to the administration of 
the affairs of the Croton Aqueduct Department, under the 
supervision and direction of its present able and competent 
head. Its manifold and responsible duties have received 
prompt attention, and its affairs are in a most prosperous con- 
dition. The revenue is constantly increasing, and we may 
reasonably iudulge in the expectation that the day is not far 
distant, when the receipts will be adequate to disciiarge the 
interest on the debt incurred for the construction of this noble 
work, and thereby rd'cve the citizens from the burden of 
taxation now imposed for that purpose. 

" The receipts of the Department for the year ending April 
30, 1847, have been $194,561.34, being an increase over 
the preceding year of $30,028.81, and the expenditures for 
all purposes, including the purchase and laying down of over 
four miles of water-pipe, were $.54,403.04, being a decrease 
from the preceding year of $4,030.63. There are now laid 
down in the city 170 miles of water-pipe, with the structures 
appertaining thereto. The number of permits issued to wa- 
ter-takers is over 15,000, and the Department is, in ail its 
aspects, in a prosperous and flourishing condition." 
6* 



66 DESCRIPTION OF 



MONUMENTS. 

There are many Tombs and splendid Monuments erected 
in the different Cemeteries of the city to the memory of the 
illustrious dead : among the most conspicuous are the follow- 
ing :— 

In the Cemetery surrounding Trinity Church,* there is a 
Monument erected to the Memory of Alexander Hamilton ; 
within the church there is also a Bust and Tablet. The fol- 
lowing are the inscriptions : — 

ALEXANDER HAMILTON 
The Corporation of Trinity Church has erected this 

MONUMENT, 

In testimony of their respect for 

The Patriot of Incorruptible Integrity, 

The Soldier of approved Valor, 

The Statesman of Consummate Wisdom, 

Whose Talents and Virtues will be admired by grateful 

Posterity, 

Long after this marble shall have mouldered into dust. 

He died July 12th, 1804, 

Aged 47 years. 



* The Cemetery attached to Trinity Charch, lying between Broad- 
way, Ri-ctor-street, and Trinity Place, is one of the oldest in the city, 
and by ti-tual records, faithfully kept, it has received within its bosom 
more than one hundred and sixty thousand bodies, or nearly half as 
many as the present population of the city. This ground was gratui- 
tously ceded to the vestry by the corporation of the city, in 1702, on 
condition that the ground should always be neatly fenced in, and 
burials granted in it to the citizens forever, for the small fee of three 
shillings and sixpence for grown persons, and one shilling and six- 
pence for all under twelve years of age- 
Burials, both in this churchyard and others in the lower part of the 
city, are now prohibited by a law of the Corporation, under a penalty 
of two hundred and fifty dollars. 



NEW YORK CITY. 6T 

TABLET AND BUST OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON, 

Erected by the Society of Cincinnati, in Trinity Churchy 

with the following inscription 

THIS TABLET 

Does not profess to perpetuate the memory of a man 

To whom the age has produced no superior, 

Nor to emblazon worth 

Eminently conspicuous in every feature of his country's 

Greatness, 

Nor to anticipate posterity in their judgment 

Of the loss which she has sustained by his premature death : 

But to attest. 

In the simplicity of grief, 

The veneration and anguish which fill the hearts of the 

Members of the 

New York State Society of Cincinnati, 

On every recollection of their Illustrious Brother, 

MAJOR-GENERAL ALEXANDER HAMILTON. 

Obiit, 1804. ^tatis, 47. 

MONUMENT TO LAWRENCE AND LUDLOW. 

The new Monument to the Memory of the gallant Law- 
rence and Ludlow, stands in Trinity churchyard, near 
Broadway. The design is by Upjohn, the sculpture by 
Fraser. It is built of the same material as the church, and 
bears the following inscription : — 

In Memory of 

CAPTAIN JAMES LAWRENCE, 

Of the United States Navy, 

Who fell on the 1st of June, 1813, in the 

32d year of his age, 

In the action between the frigates Chesapeake and 

Shannon. 



68 DESCRIPTION OF 

The Heroic Commander of the frig^ate Chesapeake, 

Whose remains are here deposited, 

Expressed 

With his dying breath 

His devotion to his country. 

Neither the fury of battle, the anguish of a mortal wound. 

Nor the horrors of approaching death, 

Could subdue his gallant spirit. 

His dying words were, 

♦' don't give up the ship." 

The inscription on the southern side of the monument is as 
follows : — 

In Memory of 

LIEUTENANT AUGUSTUS G. LUDLOW, 

Of the United States Navy ; 

Born in Newburgh, 1792 ; died in Halifax, 1813. 

Scarcely was he twenty-one years of age, 

When,, like the blooming Euryalus, 

He accompanied his beloved Commander to battle. 

Never could it have been more truly said : 

" His amor unus erat, pariterque in bella ruebant." 

He emulated the patriotic valor of his friend on the 

Bloody deck of the Chesapeake, 

And when required, like him, yielded with 

Courage and resignation, 

His spirit to Him who gave it. 

MONUMENT TO BISHOP HOBART. 

Bishop Hobart's monument is a splendid specimen of the 
sculptor's art, being executed by Mr. Ball Hughes. It con- 
sists of a tablet of white Italian marble, adorned with a basso- 
relievo with a full-length effigy of the Bishop, supported by a 
female figure, emblematic of religion, pointing to a cross. It 
bears the following inscription : — 



:NEW YORK CITY. 69* 

Beneath this Cliancel rest the Mortal Remains of 

JOHN HENRY HOBART, 

Rector of Trinity Church, in this city, 

Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of 

New York 

Born in Philadelphia, Sept. 14, 1775. 

Died in Auburn, New York, Sept. 12, 1830 

The Vestry, in behalf of the associated congregations of 

Trinity Church, 

Have caused this Monument to be erected 

In memory of the public services, private virtues, and 

Christian graces of their beloved and lamented 

PASTOR ; 

In testimony of their respect for the 
Wisdom, energy, and piety of their revered 

DIOCESAN ; 

In honor of the faithful and valiant 

" Soldier of Christ," 

Who, on all occasions, stood forth the able and 

Intrepid Champion of the 

Church of God. 



MONUMENT TO MAJ. GEN. MONTGOMERY, 

In front of St. PauFs Church, Broadway. 

This Monument is erected. 

By order of Congress, 25th Jan., 1776, 

To transmit to posterity a grateful remembrance 

Of the patriotism, conduct, enterprise, 

And perseverance of 

MAJOR-GENERAL, RICHARD MONTGOMERY ; 

Who, after a series of successes 

Amidst the most discouraging difficulties, 

Fell in the attack on Quebec, Dec. 31st, 1775, 

Aged 37 years. 



70 DESCRIPTION OF 

The State of New York caused the remains of 

MAJOR-GENEKAL RICHARD MONTGOMERY 

To be conveyed from Quebec 

And deposited beneath this Monument, 

The 8th day of July, 1818. 

emmet's monument. 

The Monument erected to the Memory of Emmet, stands 
in St. Paul's churchyard, near Broadway, bearing the follow- 
ing inscription : — 

In Memory of 

THOMAS ADDIS EMMET. 

* * . * * * » 

The name and example of such a man, 

Alike illustrious by his genius, his virtues, and his fate ; 

Consecrated to their affections 

By his perils, 

His sacrifices, and the deeper calamities of his kindred. 

In a just and holy cause ; 

His sympathizing countrymen erected this 

Monument and Cenotaph. 

Born at Cork, 24th April, 1764, 

He died in New York, 14th November, 1827. 



The Monument erected to the Memory of Cooke, the 
tragedian, is a plain tombstone, in the rear of St. Paul's 
Church, with the following inscription : — 

Erected 
To the Memory of 

GEORGE FREDERICK COOKE, 

By 

Edmund Keaii, 

1821. 



NEW YORK CITY. 71 

stuyvesant's monument. 

The oldest monument of note in the city is that erected to 
the Memory of Peter Stuyvesant. It is situated on the east 
side of St. Mark's Church, in Stuyvesant-street, and bears 
the following inscription : — 

In this Vault lies buried 

PETER STUYVESANT, 

Late Captain-General and Governor-in-chief of 

Amsterdam, in New Netherlandj 

(Now called New York,) 

And the Dutch West India Islands. 

Died in August, A. D. 1662, 

Aged 80 years. 

THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT. 

Under a charter granted by the Legislature of the State, 
an association is about to erect, in Hamilton Square, a mag- 
nificent Monument to the Memory of Washington. The 
location selected embraces a plot of ground of nearly 20 acres, 
and at an elevation of some seventy feet above tide-water. 
The monument, designs of which are now in progress, will 
probably be 400 feet in height, and will, of course, when 
completed, be the most commanding object in the approach 
to the city from any direction. A highly respectable Board 
of Trustees have the matter in charge, and the work will 
doubtless progress very rapidly. The foundation will probably 
be commenced in September, 1847. Contributions are re- 
ceived at the office, No. 86 Merchants' Exchange. 



72 DESCRIPTION OF 



POLICE DEPARTMENT. 

By a recent law of the State " For the Establishment and 
Regulation of the Police of the City of New York," the 
Watch Department, tog-ether with sundry other city offices, 
are abolished. In lieu thereof, there is established a Day 
and Night Police, not to exceed eight hundred men, includ- 
ing Captains, Assistant Captains, and Policemen, possessing 
all the powers of the former City Marshals. The Captains 
of Police, within their respective districts, also perform the 
duties of the former Street Inspectors, Health Wardens, Fire 
Wardens, and Dock Masters. 

The Captains, Assistant Captains, and Policemen, in ac- 
cordance with prescribed rules and regulations, watch and 
guard the respective districts, day and night, and protect the 
Polls at Elections, &c., all of whom are required to carry a 
suitable emblem, or device, by which they may, when neces- 
sary, make themselves known. 

All information respecting offences committed, or of sus- 
picious persons or places, must be communicated to the pre- 
siding Justice, and made a matter of private record in the 
Police offices, that the services of the whole department may 
be secured in the detection of offiinders and the recovery of 
property, and for the more effectual prevention of crime 

THE CHIEF OF POLICE, 

Appointed by the Mayor, with the approval of the Com- 
mon Council, possesses all the powers of a Special Justice of 
the Police Court, and subordinate to the Mayor, is Chief 
Executive of the Police Department. He also performs, aid- 
ed by the Captains of Police and Policemen, the duties of the 
former offices of Inspector of Hacks, Omnibuses, Cabs, and 
Public Porters, Inspector of Stages, Inspector of Carts, and 
Keepers of Lands and Places ; all of which offices are abol- 
ished. 



NEW YORK CITY. 73 

POLICE DISTRICTS. 

The city is divided into three Districts, as follows : 

1st District comprises the First, Second, Third, Fourth, 
Fifth, and Sixth Wards. 

2d District comprises the Eighth, Ninth, Twelfth, Fifteenth, 
Sixteenth, and Eighteenth Wards. 

3d District comprises the Seventh, Tenth, Eleventh, Thir- 
teenth, Fourteenth, and Seventeenth Wards. 

In each District there is a Police Court and Office. 

Office of Chief of Police, Basement of New City Hall, 
west end. 

First District (lower) Police Court, Halls of Justice, 
Centre-street. 

Second District Police Court, Jefferson Market. 

Third District Police Court, Essex Market. 

STATION^ HOUSES. 

1st Ward, Franklin Market, up stairs. 
2d Ward, 60 Gold-street. 
3d Ward, 38 Robinson-street. 
4th Ward, 27 James-street. 
5th Ward, 48 Leonard-street. 
6th Ward, Halls of Justice, Centre-street. 
7th Ward, corner of Pike and South streets, up stairs. 
8th Ward, corner of Prince and Wooster streets. 
9th Ward, Jefferson Market. 
10th Ward, Essex Market. 
11th Ward, Union Market. 
12th Ward, House of Detention, Harlem. 
13th Ward, corner of Attorney and Delancy streets. 
14th Ward, Centre Market. 
15th Ward, 220 Mercer-street. 

16th Ward, Twentieth-street, between 7th & 8th Avenues. 
17th Ward, corner of Third-street and Bowery. 
18th Ward, 29th -street, between 4th and 5th Avenues. 
7 



74 DESCRIPTION OF 

FIRE DEPARTMENT, 

Consists of a well-organized and efficient body of men, 
numbering, in 1847, one thousand eight hiuidred and twenty- 
five firemen. 

FIRE APPARATUS. 

There are twenty-nine Engines in this city, including two 
at Harlem, one at Yorkville, one at Manhattanville, and one 
at Harsenville. 

There are thirty-eight Hose Companies, and eight Hook 
and Ladder Companies, including one at Harlem and one at 
Yorkville ; all of which are in possession of the necessary 
apparatus for service. 

There is also a Hydrant Company in each Fire District, 
whose duty it is to take charge of the Hydrants in case of 
fire. 

The city is divided into three Fire Districts, as follows : 

AN ORDINANCE 

FOR DIVIDING THE CITY OF NEW YORK INTO THREE FIRE DISTRICTS. 

First District. 

The first Fire District shall embrace all that part of the 
city lying north of a line from the foot of North Moore-street 
to the Halls of Justice, and west of a line running from the 
Halls of Justice through Lafayette and Irving Places. 

Second District. 
The second Fire District shall embrace all that part of the 
city lying east of the First District, and north of a line run- 
ning from the Halls of Justice to the foot of Rosevelt-street. 

Third District. 

The third Fire District shall embrace all that part of the 
city lying south of the first and second Districts. 



NEW YORK CITY. 75 

No Fire Company shall remove their apparatus out of the 
District in which the same is located, in case of fire or alarms 
of fire, under the penalty of being subject to expulsion, or 
suspension from the Fire Department,^ unless they shall be 
permitted so to do by the Chief or one of the Assistant En- 
gineers, who are hereby authorized to give the necessary 
signal, which is hereby declared to be the constant ringing of 
the alarm bell in the district in which the fire is raging, when 
the whole department shall proceed to the scene of confla- 
gration. 

For the purpose of guiding the Firemen more correctly to 
the Fire, the districts shall be subdivided, and the district bells 
will be rung as follows : 



1st District, 


1st 


Section, 


one stroke. 


" 


2d 


(( 


two " 


2d 


1st 


(( 


three " 


(( 


2d 


" 


four " 


3d 


1st 


(( 


five " 


(( 


2d 


(( 


six " 



PUBLIC BATHS. 
Arcade, (Palme's,) 39 Chambers-street 
Belloni's, .31 Merchants' Exchange. 
Braman's, 4 Cortlandt-street. 
Carroll's, (Medicated Vapor,) 184 Fulton-street. 
Chatman's, 2 Franklin Square. 
Durrell's, 600 Broadway. 
Gompert's, 101 Bowery. 
Madden's, 16 East Broadway. 

Rabineau's, Astor House, and foot of Desbrosses-street. 
Smith &L Loring's, 7 Chatham-street, up stairs. 
Stoppani's, 398 Broadway 
TimoJat's, 529 Pearl-street. 

Two salt-water Baths are located at Castle Garden during 
warm weather. 



76 DESCRIPTION OF 



BANKS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES. 

The whole number of Banks in the city is twenty-four, 
with an aggregate capital of ^23,991,820. Of these, six are 
established under the General Banking Act, and have an 
aggregate capital of ^6,790,620. The other eighteen are each 
organized under its separate charter. The banks are open 
from 10 A. M. to 3 P. M. 

There are twenty-two Fire Insurance Companies. The 
number of Mutual Insurance Companies is eight, which take 
both Fire and Marine risks. 

The Life Insurance and Trust Companies enumerated 
are six. In addition to the above, there are several Foreign 
Companies doing a large amount of business through their 
respective agencies. 

BANKS IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK. 

NAME. LOCATION. CAPITAL. 

American Exchange Bank,* 50 Wall-street, $1,155,400 

Bank of America,T 46 Wall, corner William, 2,001,200 

Bank of Commerce,* 32 Wal 1-street 3,448,220 

Bank of New York, Wall, corner William-st., 1,000,000 

Bank of the State of New York,. .30 Wall-street 2,000,000 

Butchers' and Drovers' Bank, Bowery, cor. Grand-st.,. . 500,000 

Chemical Bank,* 216 Broadway, 300,000 

City Bank, 52 Wall-street, 720,000 

Dry Dock Banking Company, Avenue D, cor. lOth-st., 400,000 

Fulton Bank,* Pearl, corner Fulton, 600,000 

Greenwich Bank, 402 Hudson-street, 200,000 

Leather Manufacturers' Bank. 45 William-street, 600,000 

Manhattan Bank, 40 Wall-street, 2,050,000 

Mechanics' Bank, 33 Wall-street 1,440,000 

Mechanics' Banking Association,* 38 Wall-stieet, 632,000 

Mechanics' and Traders' Bank,.... 370 Grand street, 200,000 

Merchants' Bank, 42 Wall-street, 1,490,000 

Merchants' Exchange Bank, Greenwich, cor. Dey-st., 750,000 

National Bank, 36 Wall-street 750.000 

North River Bank,* Greenwich, cor. Dey-st., 655,000 

Phenix Bank, 45 Wall-street 1,200,000 

Seventh Ward Bank, Pearl, corner John-street, 500,000 

Tradesmen's Bank, 177 Chatham-street 400,000 

Union Bank, 34 Wall-street 1,000,000 



Total Bank Capital in the City of New York, .^3,991,820 



Free Banking Associations. 



NEW YORK CITY. 



77 



BANKS IN THE CITY OF BROOKLYN. 



NAME. LOCATION. 

Atlantic Bank. 55 Fnl ton-street, 

Brooklyn Bank, 5 Front-street, ... 

Long Island Bank, 53 Fulton-street, 



Total Bank Capital in Brooklyn,- 



C.VPITAL. 

. .$.5C0.(>00 
.. l.=)0.000 
.. 300,000 



.$950,000 



BANKS FOR SAVINGS. 



DAYS WHEN OPEN. 

Mondays, Wedne-d^ys, 
Fridays, & Saturdays, 
from 4 to 6 P. M. 
Mondays, Thursdays, 
and Saturdays, from 5 
to 7 P. M. 
i Mondays, Wednesdays, 
Greenwich Savings Bank,.. 11 Sixth Avenue, < and Fridays, from 5"to 

( 7 P.M. 



Bank for Savings in the ) ,„- ^i u 

City of New York, ! ^^ ' Chambers-st., 

Bowery Savings Bank, 128 Bowery, 



Seamen's Bank for Sav- 



82 Wall-street,.. 



Brooklyn Savings Bank, Fult., cor. Concord-st. 



• Daily from 11 to 2 P.M. 

J Tuesday and Saturday 
( afternoons. 



INSURANCE COMPANIES IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK. 
FIRE liNSURANCE COMPANIES. 

NAME. LOCATION. CAPITAL. 

JEtnK Insurance Company, 56 Wall street, $200,000 

City Insurance Company, 61 Wall-street, 210,000 

Eajile Insurance Company 71 Wall-street, .?0n,000 

East River Insurance Company, 61 Wall-streei, 200,000 

Firen)en's Insurance Company 59 Wall-street, 300,000 

Greenwich Insurance Company, -100 Hiulson-st., 200,000 

Howard Insurance Company, 66 Wall-street, 300,000 

Hudson Insurance Company 60 Wall -street, 

Jefferson Insurance Company, .50 Wall-street, 200.000 

Knickerbocker Insurance Comp'y, 64 Wall-street, ••• . 280,000 

Manhattan Insurance Company, 68 Wall-street, • •• . 2.50,(iOO 

Merchants' Insurance Company, 67 Wail -street, 300,000 

National Insurance CompMny, 62 Wall-street, 150,000 

New York Bovverv Ins. Company. 124 Bowery,. 300,000 

New York Equitable Ins. Comp'y, .58 Wall-street, 300,000 

New York Fire Insurance Comp'y, 72 Wall-street, .... 200,000 

New York Guardian Ins. Comp'y, 76 Wall-street, 300,000 

North American Ins. Company, 67 Wall street. 2.50,000 

North River Insurance Company, 192 Greenwich-st.,. 350.O00 

Trust Fire Insurance Company, 60 Wall-street, 15OO0O 

United States Insurance Company. 69 Wall-street, 250,000 

Williamsburg Insurance Company, 74 Wall-street, 10.5,000 

Total Capitul, (chartered Fire Insurance Companies,) •••$5,095,000 



78 DESCRPTION OF 



FIRE INSURANCE COMPANIES IN BROOKLYN. 

NAME. LOCATION. CAPITAL. 

Brooklyn Insurance Company, 43 Fnlton-street $102,000 

Long Island Insurance Company,- .Fulton, corner Front-st.,. .. • 200,000 
Kings County Mutual Ins. Comp'y, Fulton-street, Assets. 



MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANIES. 
NAME. LOCATION. CAPITAL. 

Atlantic Mutual, 14 & 16 Mer. Exchange,- • Assets. 

General Mutual 50 Wall-street, 

Mercantile Mutual, 63 Wall-street, 

Mutual Safety, 56 Wall-street, 

Mutual Security, 72 Wall-street, 

Pelican Mutual, 65 Wall-street, 

Sun Mutual, 2&4 Mer. Exchange, 

Union Mutual, 69 Wall-street, 



MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY. 

New York, 50 Wall-street, $500,000 



LIFE INSURANCE AND TRUST COMPANIES. 

NAME. LOCATION. CAPITAL. 

Farmer's Loan and Trust Company, 50 Wall-street, $2,000,000 

Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company, 11 Wall-street, Assets. 

Mutual Life Insurance Company, .56 Wall-street, " 

Nautilus Mutual Life Insurance Company, • .58 Wall-street, " 

New York Life Insurance and Trust Comp'y, 52 Wall-street, 1,000,000 

Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Company, 2,000,000 



FOREIGN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANIES. 

NAME. LOCATION. CAPITAL. 

Albion Life, of London, 27 Wall-street, $5,000,000 

National Loan Fund, of London, 74 Wall-street, 2,500,000 

United Kingdom, of London, 27 Wall-street, 5,000,000 



NEW YORK CITY. 79 

NEW YORK POST-OFFICE. 

ROBERT H. MORRIS, Postmaster. 

MARCENA MONSON, JR., Deputy. 

The Post-office is situated in Nassau-street, extending from 
Liberty to Cedar. Entrance from Cedar and Nassau streets. 
Mails received and delivered on Liberty-street 

Office liours, from 8 A. M. to 7 P. M. On Sunday, from 
9 to 10 A. M., and from 12^ to 1^ P. M. 

RATES OF POSTAGE. 
LETTERS. 
Single Letters, 300 miles or under, .5 cents. Over 300 miles, 10 cents. 
Double " " 10 " " 20 " 

Treble " "15 " " 30 " 

Quadruple " " 20 " " 40 " 

Drops Letters for delivery only 2 cents. 

Advertised Letters to be charged with the cost of advertising the 
same, 4 cents each in addition to the regular postage. 

PRINTED MATTER 

Newspapers, of the size of 1900 square inches or less, sent 
beyond 30 miles from the place of printing, and not more 
than 100 miles, 1 cent each ; over 100 miles, 1^ cents each. 
Within the State Vi'here published, any distance, 1 cent. 

Newspapers of greater size than 1900 square inches, and 
all pamphlets, magazines, and periodicals, 2^ cents for each 
copy of not more than one ounce weight, and one cent addi- 
tional for each additional ounce, or fractional excess of not 
less than half an ounce, for any distance in the United States. 

Any manuscript communication whatever, connected with 
a newspaper, pamphlet, &c., beyond the direction, makes the 
same liable to letter postage. 

All printed or lithographed circulars and handbills, or ad- 
vertisements, or quarto post or single cap paper, or paper not 
larger than single cap folded, directed, and unsealed, 3 cents 
each, and mufit be prepaid, for any distance in the Union. 



80 DESCRIPTION OF 



NEW YORK OtJSTOM HOUSE. 

The New York Custom House is bounded by Wall, Pine, 
and Nassau streets. It is open daily, from 10 A. M. to 3 P. 
M., Sundays excepted. 

The following is a list of the principal officers thereof: 

Cornelius W. Lawrence, Collector. Samuel G. Ogden, Jr., .Auditor. 

Moses F. Odell, Jiss. Collector. John W. Hunter, ^ss. 

Henry A. Cargili, Dep. " Michael Hoffman, J^aval Officer 

George Davis, " " John Cockle, Deputy " 

Park Godwin, " " Leonard Lee, " " 

James T. Talman, " " Francis E. Spinner, Jluditor. 

Henry T. Kiersted, Cashier. Elijah F. Purdy, Surveyor. 

Win. D. Robinson, Jlss. " Daniel D. Briggs, Dep. " 



U. S. ASSISTANT TREASURER'S OFFICE. 

CUSTOM HOUSE, NEW YORK. ENTRANCE IN PINE-STREET. 

Hon. WILLIAM C. BOUCK, Assistant Treasurer. 



UNITED STATES COURT. 

ROOMS, NEW CITY HALL. 

Southern District of New York, comprising the following 
counties : — Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Kings, New York, 
Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, 
Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester. 

OFFICERS OF THE COURT. 
Samuel Nelson, Associate Justice of the United States 
Supreme Court, and Judge of the Circuit Court. 
Samuel R. Betts, Judge of the District Court. 
Alexander Gardiner, Clerk of the Circuit Court. 
James W. Metcalf, Clerk of the District Court. 
Benjamin F. Butler, U. S. District Attorney. 
Ely Moore, U. S. Marshal. 



NEW YORK CITY. 81 



NEW YORK STATE COURTS. 

The New York State Courts, and Courts for the city and 
county of New York, are holden in the City Hall and New 
City Hall, both situated in the Park. At the present time, 
the above Courts are about being newly organized under the 
new State Constitution, which went into operation in part on 
January 1st, 1847. 



LINES OF PACKETS, 

SAILING FROM NEW YORK TO FOREIGN PORTS. 

Clowes and Southampton, (England,) and Bremen, (Ger- 
many.) — Ocean Steam Navigation Company, (4 steamships ;) 
sail from New York June 1, August 1, October 1 ; sail from 
Southampton July 1, September 1, November 1. 

Passage to Southampton, or to Bremen, 1st class, $120 

" " " " 2d class, 60 

" From Bremen and Southampton to New York, 1st class, $150 
" " " " " 2d class, 60 

London, (12 ships,) sailing from New York, and Ports- 
mouth, (England,) on the 1st, 10th, and 20th, and from Lon- 
don on the 7th, 17th, and 27th of every month. Outward 
passage, ^100. 

Liverpool, (24 ships,) sailing from New York and Liver- 
pool on the 1st, 6th, 11th, 16th, 21st, and 26th of every 
month. 

Passage to Liverpool, ^100. Liverpool to New York, £25. 

Havre — Union Line, (12 ships,) sailing from New York on 
the 1st, 8th, 16th, and 24th, and from Havre on the 1st, 8th, 
16th and 24th of every month. 

Hamhurg, sail from New York every fifteen days. 

Marseilles, sail from New York once a month. 

Havana, sail from New York twice a month. 

Vera Cruz, sail from New York once a month. 



82 DESCRIPTION OF 



PACKET LINES 

Sailing Coastwise from New York to different Ports in the 
United States. 

Alexandria, Washington, and Georgetown, D. C — ^sail 
weekly. 

Apalachicola, Fa. (two lines) — sail twice a month. 
Baltimore, (four lines) — sail weekly. 
Boston, (four lines) — sail tri-weekly. 
Charleston, S. C. (three hues) — sail weekly. 
Fredricksburg, Va. — sail weekly. 
Hartford, Conn. — sail from East River side. 
Key West and St. Marks — sail every two weeks. 
Mobile, (three lines) — sail three times a month. 
New Haven, Conn. — sail from East River side. 
New Orleans, (five lines) — sail every five days. 
Norfolk, Va., (two lines) — sail weekly. 
Pensacola, Fa. — sail from Burling Slip. 
Petersburg, Va., (two lines) — sail weekly. 
Philadelphia, (two lines) — sail from East River side. 
Portland, Me. — sail weekly. 
Portsmouth, N. H. — sail weekly. 
Providence, R. I. — sail from Pier 17, East River. 
Richmond, Va., (three lines) — sail weekly. 
Salem, Mass., (two lines) — sail weekly. 
Savannah, Geo., (three lines) — sail weekly. 
Wilmington, N. C, (two lines) — sail weekly. 



NEW YORK CITY. 8^ 

STEAMBOAT LDNTES, 
With their Places of Arrival and Departure. 

Albany — People's Line, (evening) — Pier 14, between Lib- 
erty and Cortlandt streets. 

Albany — Independent Line, (evening) — Pier 24, between 
Barclay and Robinson streets. 

Albany and Troy, (morning and evening) — foot of Bar- 
clay and foot of Cortlandt streets. 

Amboy, N. J. — Pier 2, North River, near the Battery. 

Astoria and Flushing — Fulton Slip, East River. 

Bridgeport, Conn. — foot of Market Slip, East River. 

Catskill — Albany Basin, Pier 13, foot of Cedar-street. 

Charleston, S. C— Peck Slip, East River. 

Cold Spring and West Point — foot of Warren-street. 

Dobb's Ferry — Pier 27, foot of Chambers-street. 

Elizabethport, N. J.— Pier 1, North River, foot of Battery 
Place. 

Fall River, (Steamboat and Railroad Line to Boston) — 
Pier No. 3, North River. 

Flushing — Fulton Slip, East River. 

Fort Lee, N. J. — foot of Hoboken-street, North River. 

Glen Cove— Fulton Market Slip, East River. 

Grassy Point — foot of Chambers-street. 

Hartford, Conn. — Peck Slip, East River. 

Haverstraw — foot of Vesey-street. 

Hudson — foot of Cedar-street. 

Newark, N. J. — foot of Barclay-street. 

New Brighton — foot of Battery Place. 

New Brunswick, N. J. — Pier 23, between Barclay and 
Robinson streets. 

Newburgh — Pier 26, between Murray and Warren streets. 

New Hamburgh and Marlborough — foot of Robinson-st. 

New Haven, Conn., (morning and evening) — Peck Slip, 
East River. 

New Rochelle — Fulton Market Slip, East River. 



84 DESCRIPTION OF 

Norwalk, Conn. — Catherine Slip, East River. 

New London and Norwich, Conn., (Steamboat and Rail- 
road Line to Boston) — Pier 1, North River, near the Battery. 

Middletown Point, N. J. — foot of Robinson-street. 

Nyack — foot of Robinson-street. 

Peekskill — foot of Chambers-street. 

Philadelphia, (Camden and Amboy Steamboat and Rail- 
road Line, — Pier 2, North River. 

Piermont, (Erie Railroad Line) — foot of Duane-street. 

Port CAes^er— Catherine Market Slip. 

Port Richmond — foot of Battery Place. 

Poughkeepsie — foot of Barclay-street. 

Providence, R. I. — from Pier 1 and 3, North River. 

Rhinebeck — foot of Robinson -street. 

Rondout — foot of Murray-street. 

Saugerties — foot of Murray -street. 

Sing Sing — foot of Chambers-street. 

Shrewsbury, N. J. — Fulton Market Slip, East River. 

Staten Island — foot of Whitehall-street, and foot of Bat- 
tery Place. 

Stonington, (Steamboat and Railroad Line to Providence 
and Boston) — Pier 1, North River. 

Tarrytown — foot of Chambers-street. 

Troy, (Morning) — foot of Barclay-street. 

Troy and Albany, (evening) — foot of Cortlandt-street. 

Westchester, Manhasset, ^c. — Fulton Market Slip, East 
River. 

West Point and Cold Spring — fo^t of Warren-street. 

Yonkers — foot of Chambers-streett 

N. B. The morning and afternoon passage boats running 
to Albany and Troy, usually land at Caldwell's, West Point, 
Newburgh, Hampton, Milton, Poughkeepsie, Hyde Park, 
Kingston, Rhinebeck, Redhook, Bristol, Catskill, Hudson, 
Coxsackie, Kinderhook Landing, New Baltimore, and Coey- 
mans. 



NEW YORK CITY. 85 



RAILROAD DEPOTS, 

Connected with Railroads diverging from the City of New 
York. 

Camden and Amhoy, (Steamboat Wharf, Pier 2, North 
River)— South Amboy, N. J. 

Elizahethtown and Somerville, (Steamboat Wharf, Pier 
1, North River j~Elizabeth port, N. J. 

Harlem — Centre-street, near City Hall. 

Long Island, (South Ferry, foot of Whitehall-street) — At- 
lantic-street, Brooklyn. 

New Jersey, (Jersey City Ferry, foot of Cortlandt-street) — 
Jersey City. 

New York and Erie, (Steamboat Wharf, foot of Duaiie- 
street) — Piermont, Rockland Co. 

Paterson, (Jersey City Ferry, foot of Cortlandt-street.) — 
Jersey City. 



OMNIBUS LINES. 

The following Omnibus or Stage Lines run constantly, 
every day, except Sunday. 

Astoria and Yorkville line, (11 Stages) — run from Chat- 
ham-street and the Bowery (hourly) to Yorkville and Hell- 
Gate Ferry, opposite Astoria, six miles. 

Bloomingdale and ManhattanvHle Line, (5 stages) — run 
from Tryon Row to Bloomingdale and Manhattanville, 7 
miles. 

Chelsea Line, (26 stages) — run from Ninth Avenue, corner 
of 23d-strcet, to Bowling Green, 3 miles. 

Empire Line, (20 stages) — run from Sixth Avenue, corner 
of 14th-street, to foot of Whitehall-street, 3 miles. 

Fulton Ferry Line, (13 stages) — run from Seventh Ave- 
nue, corner of 2lst-street, through Broadway to Fulton Ferry, 
S^ miles. 

8 



86 DESCRIPTION OF 

Greenwich Line, (8 stages) — run from Hudson, corner of 
Charles-street, to foot of Whitehall-street, 2^ miles. 

Harlem Line, (9 stages) — run from Tryon Row to Harlem 
Bridge, every half- hour, 7| miles. 

Knickerbocker Line, (36 stages) — run from Eighth Ave- 
nue, corner of 23d-street, to foot of Whitehall-street. Con- 
nects at Eighth Avenue with stages for Bloomingdale. 

Madison Line, (18 stages) — run from Fourth Avenue, cor- 
ner of 23d-street, to South Ferry. 

Merchants' Line, (14 stages) — run from Second Avenue, 
corner of 9th-street, through Houston, Bowery, and Broad- 
way, to foot of Whitehall-street. 

Murphy and Co.^s Line, (19 stages) — run from Third 
Avenue, corner of 28th-street, through Bowery and Broad- 
way to foot of Whitehall -street. 

Murphy and Co.^s Line, (11 stages) — run from Tompkins 
Square, through Bowery and Broadway, to foot of Whitehall- 
street. 

Union Line, (24 stages) — run from Avenue C, corner of 
lOth-street, through Grand, Bowery, and Broadway, to foot 
of Whitehall-street, 3 miles. 

Union Line, (22 stages,) — run from Avenue C, corner of 
lOth-street, through Lewis, East Broadway, Chatham, and 
Broadway, to foot of Whitehall-street, 3 miles. 

Waverley Line, (19 stages) — run from Sixth Avenue, cor- 
ner of 23d-street, through Waverley Place and Broadway to 
foot of Whitehall-street, or South Ferry, 2^ miles. 

Total, 260 Omnibuses ; giving employment to as many 
drivers, and about 1500 horses. Usual fare, 6^ cents. 

Registered Number of Public Vehicles in the City of New 
York, 1847. 

Hackney Coaches, 272 

Cabs, four-wheeled, 114 

" two-wheeled, 59 

Omnibuses, 260 

Total. 705 



NEW YORK CITY. 87 

CENSUS OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK, 

According to the State Census of 1845. 

Total Population, 371,223 

Number of male persons, 180,472 

" Female persons, 190,751 

" Persons subject to militia duty, 35,031 

" Persons entitled to vote, 63,927 

" Aliens, not naturalized, 60,946 

" Persons who are paupers, 1,957 

" Colored persons not taxed, 12,658 

" " who are taxed, 255 

" " entitled to vote, 91 

" Married females under 45 years, 57,804 

" Unmarried females between 16 and 45, 45,674 

" " Under 16 years, 62,019 

" Marriages during the year, 2,556 

" Births, males, 6,728 

" " females, 6,506 

" Deaths, males, 3,471 

" " females, 2,822 

" Persons born in State of New York, 194,916 

" " New England States, 16,079 

" " other States of the Union, 25,572 

" " Mexico or South America, 508 

" " Great Britain or its possessions, 96,581 

" " France, 3,710 

" " Germany, 24,416 

" " other parts of Europe, 3,277 

" Children between 5 and 16 years, 70,003 

" " attending common schools, 39 262 

" " " private schools, 17,324 

" " *' academies, &c., 1,253 

" " " colleges, &c., 246 

" Deaf and dumb persons, 254 

" Blind persons, 80 

" Idiots, 47 

" Lunatics, 539 

GENERAL STATISTICS. 

Number of Colleges, 4 

" Academies, 3 

" Female Seminaries, 17 



88 DESCRIPTION OF NEW YORK CITY. 

Number of other incorporated institutions of learning, 8 

" Norma) schools, 1 

" Common schools, 78 

" Private and select schools, 208 

" Inns and taverns, 1,388 

" Wholesale stores, 1,981 

" Retail stores, - 4,209 

" Groceries, 1,964 

" Farmers and agriculturists, 275 

" Merchants, 8,4] 1 

•' Manufacturers, 1,742 

" Mechanics, 31,995 

" Attorneys, 1,016 

" Clergymen, 282 

" Physicians and surgeons, 875 



COMPARATIVE POPULATION 
Of the Principal Cities in the Commercial World. 

1. London, 2,560.281 13. Philadelphia, (1840,) • . 222,423 

(proper,) 125,008 14. Amsterdam, 207,000 

2. Paris, 900,000 1.5. Madrid, 200 000 

3. St. Petersburg, 585,000 ] 16. Rio de Janeiro, 200,000 

4. Constantinople, 550,000 j 17. Mexico, 180,000 

S.Vienna, 360,000 18. Rome, 150,000 

6. Naples. 3.51,719 i 19. Edinburgh, 13.3,692 

7. New York, (1840,).... 312,710 ! 20. Havana, 112,000 

8. Berlin, 290,797 I 21. Baltimore, (1840,) 102,313 

9. Liverpool, 286,487 22. Now Orleans, (1840,). . 102.193 

lO.Glasgovv, 285,000 23. Bordeaux, 95,114 

11. Lisbon, 250,000 24. Boston, (1840,; 93,383 

12. Dublin, 240.000| 

From the above Table, it appears that the city of New 
York ranked as the seventh in population ; but at the last 
census, (1845,) the number of inhabitants vv^as 371,223, and 
now, no doubt, she ranks as the fifth commercial city in point 
of population, and next to London in commercial impor- 
tance. 



EXCURSIONS 

AROUND THE CITY OF NEW YORK. 



ALPHABETICAL LIST 

Of the Cities, Towns, Villages, and. Places of Resort within 
Thirty Miles of the City of Neto York, with the Distan- 
ces, Conveyances, and Objects of Attraction. 

AcQUACKANONCK, N. J. — 13 miles from New York, via 
Paterson and Hudson Railroad, or turnpike road from Ho- 
boken. This village is situated on the west side of the Passaic 
River, at the head of sloop navigation, 12 miles above its en- 
trance into Newark Bay. 

Astoria, L. I. — 6 miles by steamboat, and the same dis- 
tance via Third Avenue, a Macadam road. This is a pleas- 
ant place situated on the East River, near Hell Gate, where 
is a ferry communicating with the island of New York. 

Bath, L. I. — 9 miles by stage, starting from Brooklyu. 
This is a favorite place of resort, during the summer months, 
for invalids and seekers of pleasure fond of sea bathing. Here 
is to be found a well-kept hotel for the accommodation of 
visiters. 

Bedlow's Island — 2 miles by sail-boats, starting from near 
the Battery. This island lies in the Bay of New York, and 
on it stands Fort Wood, garrisoned by United States troops. 

Blackwell's Island — 4 miles by sail-boats, or by ferry 
from Bellevue. This island lies in the East River, and be- 
longs to the city authorities. Here are situated the city Alms 
House, city Penitentiary, and a Lunatic Hospital. 

Bellevjlle, N. J. — 9 miles by stage from Hoboken. This 
is a pleasant village on the west side of Passaic River, situa- 
ted 3i miles north of Newark. 
8» 



90 THE ENVIRONS OF 

Bergen, N. J. — 3 miles via Jersey City Ferry. This is an 
eld settlement, situated 2 miles west of Jersey City on ele- 
vated ground, where are located the public buildings for the 
county of Hudson. 

Bloomfield, N. J. — 13 miles by railroad and stage from 
Jersey City, or stage from Hoboken. This is a scattered 
settlement, including West Bloomfield, situated 3 or 4 miles 
northwest of Newark. 

Bloomingdale — 5 miles by omnibus, from the corner of 
Eighth Avenue and 23d-street. This is a delightful place of 
resort, on the island of New York, where are situated a fa- 
vorite public house, and the New York Orphan Asylum. 

BrooklYx\ — half a mile by ferries. The city of Brooklyn 
is delightfully situated on the west end of Long Island, oppo- 
site the lower part of the city of New York, being separated 
therefrom by the East River. Its healthy and beautiful loca- 
tion have made it a favorite place of residence for many per- 
sons who transact their business in New York, and who are 
enabled to go and come by the commodious ferry-boats con- 
tinually running on several well-regulated ferries. These 
circumstances have greatly contributed to the rapid growth 
of Brooklyn, which is now the second city in the state in 
population, having, in 1840, numbered 3(J,223, and by the 
recent census of 1845, 59,574 inhabitants. This city was 
chartered in 1834, and is divided into nine wards, being gov- 
erned by a mayor and common council who are elected an- 
nually by the people. Its principal public buildings are a 
New City Hall, built of marble ; a County Jail, built of free- 
stone ; two or three indifferent market buildings ; a Lyceum 
building, and upwards of thirty churches, many of which are 
splendid edifices of recent construction. There are three 
banking houses, a Savings' Bank, three Insurance Offices, 
and several flourishing Female Seminaries. 

Brooklyn is justly celebrated for its pure and airy situation ; 
its pleasant and shady streets ; its gardens, and the many 
grape-vines, which here grow to great perfection, yielding 



NEW YORK CITY. 91 

large quantities of delicious fruit. Although it cannot as yet 
boast of any Public Squares, there is one about being opened 
on the site of Fort Green, on the eastern side of the city, 
situated on elevated ground, overlooking Wallabout Bay and 
the United States Navy Yard. The Heights of Brooklyn, 
directly opposite the city of New York, overlooking its noble 
bay and harbor, and commanding the most interesting views 
imaginable, has been suffered to be used for private purposes, 
when it might have been rendered one of the most beautiful 
promenades in the world, if properly improved and thrown 
open to the public. 

Among the objects of attraction in Brooklyn are the United 
States Navy Yard, situated on Wallabout Bay. It covers 
40 acres of ground, and is enclosed by a brick wall on the 
land side. At the Navy Yard Dock are usually to be seen 
vessels of war of different classes. The Atlantic Dry Dock 
Company have constructed a large basin and warehouses for 
shipping, west of the South Ferry, calculated to accommo- 
date the growing commerce of the city of New York, all of 
which are well worthy of a visit. Greenwood Cemetery, 
located in the eighth ward of Brooklyn, is a romantic and 
beautiful burial-place. The grounds comprise about 200 acres, 
beautifully improved, and in part elevated, so as to command 
an extensive prospect of the surrounding country, and the 
Bay of New York, and the Atlantic Ocean. 

Bull's Ferry — 6 miles by steamboat, starting from the 
foot of Canal-street. Here is a small settlement situated on 
the west shore of the Hudson River. In the vicinity are a 
number of delightful country residences. 

Chatham, N. J. — 20 miles by railroad and stage. Pleas- 
antly situated on the Passaic River, 7 miles from Morristown. 

Chelsea — 16 miles by steamboat. This is a small settle- 
ment situated on Staten Island, opposite the mouth of Rah- 
way River. 

Clifton — 8 miles by steamboat. This is a delightful set- 
tlement situated on Staten Island, near the Narrows. 



92 THE ENVIRONS OF 

Cold Spring, L. I. — 30 miles by steamboat, railroad, and 
stage. This is a delightful summer resort, being situated on 
a harbor of the same name, communicating with Oyster Bay 
and Long Island Sound on the north. 

CoMMUNiPAW — 3 miles via Jersey City Ferry. This is an 
old Dutch settlement, situated 2 miles south of Jersey City. 

Coney Island — 13 miles by stages from Brooklyn. This 
is one of the most favorite places of summer resort in the vi- 
cinity of New York for those fond of bathing and sporting ; 
the beach being admirably adapted for the former, and sea- 
fowl and fish are h9re found in abundance. There are two 
or three well-kept public houses for the accommodation of 
visiters. During warm weather, a steamboat runs from New 
York to Coney Island, stopping at Fort Hamilton. 

Dobb's Ferry — 22 miles by steamboat, starting from the 
foot of Chambers-street. Here is a settlement situated on the 
east side of the Hudson, opposite the Palisades on the Jersey 
shore. In this vicinity are to be found a number of beautiful 
country residences, commanding the most beautiful prospects 
of river and mountain scenery. 

East Chester — 16 miles by stage or steamboat. The 
village of East Chester is situated at the head of a bay 4 
miles north of Long Island Sound. 

East New York — 6 miles by stage or railroad cars. This 
place is handsomely situated on the line of the Long Island 
railroad, being in the town of Flatbush, Kings County, 2 
miles north of Jamaica Bay. 

Elizabethport, N. J. — 12 miles by steamboat, starting 
from Battery Place. This is a convenient steamboat landing 
on Staten Island Sound, near its junction with Newark Bay, 
where is a flourishing settlement. Here commences the 
Elizabethtown and Somerville Railroad, which exten'ds to 
the latter place, a distance of 26 miles. 

Elizabethtown, N. J. — 14 miles by steamboat and railroad 
cars. This is an old and pleasantly situated borough, being 
governed by a mayor, aldermen, and common council. It 



NEW YORK CITY. 93 

contains about 4000 inhabitants, 500 dwelling-houses, a court- 
house and jail, 1 bank, 20 or 30 stores, and several well-kept 
public houses. Through this place runs the New Jersey 
Railroad, in addition to the railroad extending to Somerville. 
The easy access to the city of New York by the means of 
railroads and steamboats, in connection with its local advan- 
tages, renders its situation pre-eminent as a delightful place 
of residence or resort. 

Factoryville — 9 miles by steamboat, starting from Bat- 
tery Place. Situated on the north shore of Staten Island. 
It contains about 600 inhabitants, and the New York Dying 
and Printing Establishment, one of the largest works of the 
kind in the Union. 

Flatbtjsh — 4 miles by stage from Brooklyn. This village 
and the surrounding country has long been celebrated as a 
delightful place of residence. Here is situated Erasmus Hall 
Academy, an old and flourishing incorporated institution. 

Near the northwest boundary of this town was fought a 
battle between the English and American armies, August 2fi, 
1776, which resulted in the defeat of the Americans and sub- 
sequent capture of the city of New York. 

Flatlands — 8 miles by stage from Brooklyn. This is a 
small settlement, surrounded by a level section of country 
extending to Jamaica Bay on the south. 

Flushing — 11 miles by steamboat or stage. This is a most 
delightful place, situated on a bay of the same name, which 
communicates with Long Island Sound on the north. It con- 
tains about 2000 inhabitants, 200 dwelling-houses, several 
churches of different denominations, two or three seminaries 
of learning, which are in a very flourif4iing condition, and 
several well-kept public houses. 

Few places in the vicinity of New York afford more in- 
ducements for visiters than this beautiful village. In addition 
to the Linnean Botanic Garden, situated near the Steamboat 
landing, which is open and free to the public on all days ex- 
cept Sundays, the quiet and neat appearance of the place is 



94 THE ENVIRONS OF 

proverbial, it having long been considered a favorite resort for 
the invalid, wishing to escape from the crowd and noise of a 
city life. 

St. Paul's College, under the direction of Mr. J. G. Bar- 
ton, is a celebrated and highly flourisliing institution, situa- 
ted on a neck of land called College Point, about three 
miles north of the village of Flushing. 

Fort HAiMiLTON — 9 miles by stage from Brooklyn, Here 
is a settlement situated on the west end of Long Island, 
where stands a strong fortification intended for the protection 
of the harbor and city of New York, in connection with Fort 
La Fayette and Fort Richmond, the latter being situated on 
Staten Island at the Narrows. Here is afforded a beautiful 
and extensive view of Staten Island, the New Jersey shore, 
with Sandy Hook light-house, and the Atlantic Ocean in the 
distance. A new hotel has recently been opened at Fort 
Hamilton, which is usually thronged with fashionable visiters 
during the summer months. 

Fort Lee — 10 miles by steamboat, starting from the foot 
of Canal-street. This is one of the many delightful places of 
summer resort on the Hudson. Here stand the ruins of 
an old fort of Revolutionary memory, where also is to be 
seen the " Palisades" in all their grandeur and sublimity ; 
they rise abruptly from the water's edge to the height of 
about 400 feet, presenting a deeply interesting appearance. 
Steamboats ply several times daily between the city of New 
York and Fort Lee, starting from the foot of Canal-street. 

Fort Washington — 10 miles by stage. The site of this 
old fortification is situated on the Island of New York, over- 
looking the Hudson River, nearly opposite Fort Lee, with 
which it is associated by its unfortunate surrender to the 
British in 1776. 

Glen Cove — 28 miles by steamboat — is delightfully situa- 
ted on an arm of Hempstead Harbor, which communicates 
with Long Island Sound on the north. This is a favorite 
resort during warm weather. 



NEW YORK CITY. 95 

Governor's Island — 1 mile by sail-boat. This is a beau- 
tiful island lying in New York Bay, at the junction of the 
East and North rivers. It is strongly fortified, and occupied 
by United States troops. 

GowANus — 3 miles by Omnibus from Brooklyn. This is a 
scattered settlement, situated on and near Gowanus Bay, in 
the Eighth Ward of Brooklyn. 

Gravesend — 11 miles by stage from Brooklyn. The vil- 
lage of Gravesend is situated on the south side of Long 
Island, through which passes the road to Coney Island, which 
is a part of the same town. 

Greensburgh — 22 miles by steamboat or Harlem Railroad 
This town lies on the east side of the Hudson River. The 
village of Greensburgh lies on Sawmill River, where is erect- 
ed a marble monument to the memory of Isaac Van Wart, 
one of the captors of Major Andre 

Green-wood Cemetery — .3 miles by Omnibus from Brook- 
lyn. This burial-place of the dead, consisting of 150 acres, is 
beautifully located among the hills and valleys in the rear of 
Gowanus, being in the 8th Ward of Brooklyn. It is well 
worthy of a visit by citizens and strangers. 

Hackensack — 13 miles by stage, starting from Hoboken. 
The village of Hackensack lies on the west bank of the 
Hackensack River, which is navigable for sloops to this place. 
Here are located the public buildings for the county of Ber- 
gen, N. J. 

Harlem — 7^ miles by stage or railroad. This is a place 
that is much visited, being easily approached by railroad, or 
a drive through the Third Avenue. It lies on Harlem River, 
near its entrance into the East River. 

Harsimus — 2 miles via Jersey City Ferry This is a settle- 
ment immediately north of Jersey City. 

Hastings — 20 miles by steamboat. This is a steamboat- 
landing and settlement pleasantly situated on the east side of 
the Hudson River, in the town of Yonkers, Westchester 
county 



96 THE ENVIRONS OF 

Hempstead — 2Q miles by stage or Long Island Railroad. 
The village of Hempstead is pleasantly situated on the south 
side of the " Plains," 2^ miles from the Lovg Island Rail- 
road, with which it is connected by a branch. It contains 
a population of about 1500 inhabitants, several churches and 
public houses. The Hempstead Seminary is an incorporated 
institution for the instruction of males and females. 

HiCKsviLLE — 27 miles by railroad. This is a small set- 
tlement on the line of the Long Island Railroad. 

HoBOKEN — 2 miles by ferries from the foot of Barclay and 
Canal streets. This is a delightful resort for thousands of 
citizens of New York during warm weather. The grounds 
and walks are admirably arranged, extending for nearly a 
mile along the banks of the noble Hudson. The northern 
termination, near Weehawken, is called the " Elysian Fields." 

Irving — 26 miles by steamboat. This is a new settlement, 
situated on the East bank of the Hudson, one mile south of 
Tarrytown. A short distance below is the favorite country 
seat of Washington Irving, surrounded by several other beau- 
tiful residences. 

Jamaica — 12 miles by stage or railroad. This is a quiet 
and lovely place of residence, surrounded by a rich section 
of country. The village contains about 1600 inhabitants, 
200 dwellings, six churches, and several well-kept hotels. 
Union Hall Academy, at this place, is an old and flourishing 
institution. 

Jericho — 28 miles by railroad and stage. This is a pleas- 
ant village situated 2 miles north of the line of the Long Is- 
land Railroad. It is celebrated as once being the residence 
of the late Elias Hicks, the leader of a large Quaker sect, 
who are known as " Hicksites." 

Jerusalem — 28 miles by railroad and stage. This is a 
Quaker settlement, six miles south from the village of Hemp- 
stead, where are some 25 or 30 dwellings. 

Jersey City — 1 mile via Jersey City Ferry. This place 
is advantageously situated on the west side of the Hudson 



NEW YORK CITY. Ot 

River, opposite the city of New York, with which it is con- 
nected by a steam ferry. It was first incorporated as a city 
in 1840, and is governed by a mayor and board of aldermen. 
It now contains about 4000 inhabitants, and is rapidly in- 
creasing in wealth and numbers, being closely allied to the 
prosperity of the city of New York. Here commence the 
New Jersey and Paterson railroads ; also, the Morris 
Canal. 

KiNGSBRiDGE — 13 miles by stage. This is an ancient set- 
tlement, where a bridge crosses Spuyten Duyvel Creek, or 
Harlem River, on the great stage road leading from New 
York to Albany. During the Revolutionary War, this was 
an important place in a military point of view, in the vicinity 
of which transpired many important events. 

Lakeville — 19 miles by stage. This place is pleasantly 
situated on Success Pond, in the town of Flushing, Long Is- 
land, and contains some 20 or 25 dwellings. 

Long Branch — 30 miles by steamboat. This is a well- 
known and fashionable sea-bathing place, by many consider- 
ed superior to every other resort of the kind in the vicinity of 
New York or Philadelphia. Here are to be found several 
well-kept public houses, with a fine sea-view, enlivened by 
almost countless vessels passing to and from the Harbor of 
New York. The fishing banks in the vicinity afford ample 
sport to the angler, while the sportsman can find an abun- 
dance of wild water-fowl. 

Mamaroneck — 24 miles by railroad and stage. The vil- 
lage of Mamaroneck is situated on a bay, about one mile 
from Long Island Sound. 

Manchester — 18 miles via Paterson Railroad. The vil- 
lage of Manchester is situated on the Passaic River, directly 
opposite Paterson, with which it is connected by two bridges. 

Manhassett — 20 miles by steamboat or stage. This is a 
delightful settlement near the head of Cow Bay, where are 
located a number of fine country residences, occupied by a 
wealthy class of inhabitants. 

9 



98 THE ENVIRONS OF 

Manhattanville — 8 miles by stage, starting from the 
Bowery. This place lies on the west side of the Island of 
New York, where is a convenient landing for vessels. About 
half a mile south of Manhattanville is situated, on elevated 
ground, the New York Lunatic Asylum. 

MiDDLETowN, N. J. — 26 miles by steamboat and stage. 
The village of Middletown is centrally situated, in the town 
of the same name, about six miles from Middletown Point. 

Middletown Point — 24 miles by steamboat. This is a 
thriving place situated on Middletown Creek, about 3 miles 
from Raritan Bay. Large quantities of produce of different 
kinds are annually sent from this place to the city of New 
York. 

MoRRisTowN — 28 miles by railroad. This village is situa- 
ted on an elevated plain, and for health, beauty, and pleas- 
antness, it is not surpassed by any inland village in the State 
of New Jersey. It is the seat of justice for Morris County, 
and contains about 2500 inhabitants. The Morris and Es- 
sex Railroad extends from this place to Newark, a distance 
of 20 miles. 

MoRRisiANA — 9 miles by railroad. This is a scattered set- 
tlement on the south bounds of Westchester county, at the 
junction of the Harlem and East rivers, where are two free 
bridges, in addition to the railroad bridge, communicating with 
the city and county of New York. 

Newark — 9 miles by railroad, and 18 by steamboat. This 
is a flourishing city, situated on the west bank of the Passaic 
River, a few miles above its entrance into Newark Bay. It 
contained, in 1840, a population of 17,290, and is rapidly in- 
creasing, both in numbers and wealth. The river is naviga- 
ble to this place for vessels of 100 or 200 tons burden, and 
the Morris Canal passes through the city in its circuitous 
route through New Jersey to Easton, Pennsylvania, on the 
Delaware river. No place in the vicinity of New York af- 
fords a more desirable residence than Newark ; but its chief 
prosperity is owing to its thriving manufactories of different 



NEW YORK CITY. 99 

kinds, the products of which find a ready market in the city 
of New York, and southern and foreign ports. The annual 
exports are supposed to amount to eight or ten miUions of 
dollars. 

The communication with the city of New York by means 
of a Steamboat and the New Jersey Railroad, is both cheap 
and speedy, affording great faciHties to its enterprising inhab- 
itants. The Morris and Essex Railroad also commences 
at Newark, and extends 22 miles to the pleasant village of 
Morristown, passing through several delightful places. 

New Brighton — 6 miles by steamboat, starting from the 
foot o( Battery Place. This is a fashionable place, most de- 
lightfully situated on the north end of Staten Island, com- 
manding a fine view of the Bay of New York. Here are 
located a number of beautiful summer residences, two hotels, 
and a seminary for young ladies. 

New Brunswick — 30 miles by railroad, and 36 by steam- 
boat. This is a flourishing city containing 6000 or 7000 in- 
habitants, about 800 dwellings, 10 churches, 2 banks, 10 
hotels and taverns. Here are located Rutgers' College and a 
grammar school connected with it ; 2 academies, besides 
several other schools, male and female. New Brunswick is 
a pleasant place of residence, and possesses advantages which 
will raise it to gradual increase and importance, having com- 
munication with both New York and Philadelphia by rail- 
road, canal, and river navigation. 

The Delaware and Raritan Canal commences at New 
Brunswick, and running through Trenton, communicates 
with the Delaware River at Bordentown. It is 43 miles 
long, 75 feet wide, and 7 feet deep, admitting sloops of from 
80 to 100 tons burden. The Raritan River is navigable for 
vessels of 200 tons, to the wharves of the lower part of the 
city. Here terminates the New Jersey Railroad, and com- 
mences the New Brunswick and Trenton Railroad, forming 
the principal links in the great line of travel through New 
Jersey, between New York and Philadelphia. 



100 THE ENVIRONS OF 

New Rochelle — 20 miles by railroad and stage, or by- 
steamboat. This place is pleasantly situated in Westchester 
county, ou the north side of Long Island Sound. It is a 
fashionable summer resort for those fond of fishing, shooting, 
and bathing. The hotels and boarding-houses for the accom- 
modation of visiters are v,'e!l kept, being usually, during warm 
weather, crowded with families of wealth and taste, who 
here find a quiet retreat. 

Newtown, L. I. — 8 miles by stage. This village is situa- 
ted on the turnpike road leading from Williamsburgh to Flush- 
ing, 6 miles distant from the former place. It contains about 
500 inhabitants, and is surrounded by a highly cultivated 
section of country, furnishing large quantities of vegetables 
and fruit for the New York market. 

New Utrecht, L. I. — 9 miles by stage. This settlement 
lies on the west end of Long Island, near the Atlantic Ocean. 
It is surrounded by a fine section of country, where are loca- 
ted many delightful country residences and good substantial 
farm-houses. 

Nyack — 27 miles by steamboat. This village is pleasantly 
situated on the west side of the Hudson River, or Tappan 
Bay, here about .3 miles wide. It is a thriving village, con- 
taining about 1000 inhabitants, several churches and public 
houses. A steamboat runs daily to and from the city of New- 
York. 

Orange, N. J. — 13 miles by railroad. This is a straggling 
village 3 or 4 miles west of Newark. It may be said to con- 
tain about 1000 inhabitants, 200 dwellings, together with 
several churches and public houses. The Mineral Spring, 
near the centre of the settlement, is much resorted to by in- 
valids and seekers of pleasure. 

Oyster Bay, L. 1. — 30 miles by railroad and stage, or by 
steamboat. This place is delightfully situated on Oyster Bay 
Harbor, 3 miles from Long Island Sound, and is a place of 
considerable resort during warm weather. The village con- 
tains about 500 inhabitants, 70 dwelling-houses, 2 churches, 



NEW YORK CITY. 101 

and 3 public houses. The fish, oysters, and clams, which 
are here taken in abundance, are highly esteemed by the 
epicure. Here, too, may be enjoyed, upon the pebbled shore, 
the luxury of salt-water bathing ; and from the heights over- 
looking the village and harbor, the painter or amateur may 
find employment and pleasure in surveyhig the richness and 
variety of the surrounding scenery. 

Paterson, N. J. — 17 miles by railroad. The village of 
Paterson is the seat of justice for the county of Passaic, and 
is one of the most noted places in New Jersey. No place in 
the State exceeds it in natural and artificial advantages ; it 
possesses an inexhaustible water-power, and an industrious 
and enterprising population, and is within one hour's ride, by 
railroad, of the city of New York. In 1840 it contained 
7595 inhabitants, and about 1000 dwellings, 9 churches, 104 
stores, 4 fulling-mills, 1 woollen factory, 19 cotton factories, 
2 dying and printing establishments, and 2 paper mills, be- 
sides many other kinds of manufacturing establishments, 
mostly using water-power obtained from the Passaic River. 

The Falls, near the village, and the manufactories are 
annually visited by great numbers who are fond of the works 
of nature and art. The whole descent of the Passaic, at 
this spot, is from 60 to 70 feet. In the first portion of its de- 
scent, the river rushes over a steep slope of deeply rifted ;'ock, 
and then makes a clear pitch of some 30 or 40 feet into a 
narrow, wedge-shaped, and transverse chasm, with a high 
wall of perpendicular rock fronting the Falls, and right 
athwart the course of the stream, compelling the boiling wa- 
ters to pass out of the chasm nearly at right angles with their 
previous direction, into the broad and black pool immediately 
below, which is walled in, for many rods on each side of the 
gorge, by perpendicular cliffs of naked rock 80 or 90 feet 
high, greatly augmenting the grandeur of the scene. 

Perth Ambov — 24 miles by steamboat. This is an old 
city, having been first settled and laid out into lots in 1683 ; 
its present charter is dated December 21, 1784. The city ia 



102 THE ENVIRONS OF 

now governed by a mayor, recorder, three aldermen, and six 
common councilmen. It contains at present about 1400 in- 
habitants, having increased but slowly in population, although 
it possesses a safe and commodious harbor, and is a port of 
entry. The Rarltan River here empties its waters into a bay 
of the same name, which communicates vt'ith the Atlantic 
Ocean through the Lower Bay of New York. The waters 
in this vicinity are celebrated for the fine quality of the oys- 
ters, which are taken in great abundance, giving employment 
to a great number of persons. From its easy access by wa- 
ter to and from the city of New York, and its agreeable sit- 
uation in the vicinity of the ocean, affording sea- water bath- 
ing, Perth Amboy may be ranked as an agreeable and 
healthy place of resort during the summer months. 

PiERMONT — 24 miles by steamboat, starting from the foot 
of Duane-street. This place, formerly known as Tappan 
Landing, is advantageously situated on the west shore of the 
Hudson River. It has become a place of importance as the 
terminus of the New York and Erie Railroad, which great 
work, when completed, will terminate at Dunkirk, on the 
shore of Lake Erie, 446 miles distant. It is now completed 
to Otisville, in Orange county, a distance of 62 miles, and is 
in progress of construction its entire length. At Piermont 
there has been constructed a substantial pier, more than a 
mile in length, extending from the shore to the channel of 
the river, which is here called " Tappan Bay." A steamboat 
plies daily, summer and winter, between this place and the 
city of New York, connecting with the cars running on the 
railroad. 

The Palisades here terminate on the north by an abrupt 
hill. This hill, and the pier already mentioned, being the 
two most distinguishing features in the vicinity, they have 
very appropriately been combined to form the name of Pier- 
mont. 

Plainfield, N. J. — 26 miles by steamboat and railroad. 
This is a thriving village situated on the line of the Elizabeth- 



NEW YORK CITY. 103 

town and Somerville Railroad. The surrounding section of 
country is rich, well cultivated, and healthy. 

Port Chester — 30 miles by steamboat. Tliis village is 
pleasantly situated on the west side of Byram River, which 
here forms the boundary line between New York and Con- 
necticut. It now contains about lOOO inhabitants, and 120 
dwelling-houses. A steamboat runs daily to and from the 
city of New York, through Long Island Sound and the East 
River. 

Port Richmond — 9 miles by steamboat, starting from the 
foot of Battery Place. This village is situated on the north 
shore of Staten Island ; it contains about 400 inhabitants and 
60 dwellings. Here is a convenient steamboat landing, where 
steamboats almost hourly stop to land and receive passengers. 
In the vicinity there is a valuable granite quarry, which is 
worked by an incorporated company. 

Rahway, N. J. — 19 miles by railroad. This village lies 
upon both sides of the Rahway River, 5 miles above its en- 
trance into Staten Island Sound. It contains altogether about 
2000 inhabitants ; the dwellings being in four detached parts, 
contiguous to the river, which affords navigation below for 
small vessels, and hydraulic power above the centre of the 
town. Here are located several extensive manufacturing 
establishments. 

Ravenswood, L. I. — 5 miles by steamboat. This is a de- 
lightful settlement situated on the East River, opposite Black- 
well's Island. The steamboat running to Astoria and Flush- 
ing stops here daily to land and receive passengers. 

Red Bank, N. J. — 26 miles by steamboat. This place is 
situated on Neversink River, where is a convenient steamboat 
landing, from whence a steamboat runs daily to and from the 
city of New York. The village and surrounding country is 
fertile and pleasant, inhabited by an agreeable and respecta- 
ble class of farmers, who afford reasonable board and enter- 
tainment to visiters during warm weather 

Richmond — 13 miles by steamboat and stage. This is the 



104 THE ENVIRONS OF 

county seat for Richmond county, situated near the centre of 
Staten Island. 

RocKAWAY, L. I. — 20 miles by railroad and stage. This 
is one of the most fashionable watering-places on the Ameri- 
can continent, being unsurpassed in every requisite to make 
it a favorite summer resort for the invalid or seekers of pleas- 
ure, in pursuit of invigorating air and sea-bathing. Here is 
erected a splendid hotel called the Marine Pavilion, situated 
near the beach, lacing the ocean ; it is 230 feet in front, 3 
stories high, with two wings and two magnificent piazzas. 
From the front is an unrivalled view of the Atlantic Ocean, 
and the numerous shipping passing Sandy Hook, to and from 
the Harbor of New York ; and the rear affords a fine pros- 
pect of Jamaica Bay and the adjacent country. 

Other public houses, affording good accommodations for 
visiters, and several beautiful country residences, are situated 
in this vicinity, near the beach. The conveyance to Rocka- 
way, from the city of New York, is easy and delightful, by 
railroad and stages. 

RossviLLE — 18 milf's by steamboat and stage. This place 
is pleasantly situated on the west side of Staten Island, facing 
Staten Island Sound. 

Rye — 28 miles by railroad and stage. This village is situ- 
ated in Westchester county, near Long Island Sound. 

Shrew^sbury, N. J. — 28 miles by steamboat. This village 
is pleasantly situated between Shrewsbury and Neversink 
rivers, surrounded by a rich and healthy section of country. 

South Amboy, N. J. — 26 miles by steamboat, starting from 
Pier No. 2, North River. Here is a convenient steamboat 
landing and a safe harbor for vessels, being at the head of 
Raritan Bay, where commences the Camden and Amboy 
Railroad, running to Camden, opposite to Philadelphia. 

Springfield, N. J. — 18 miles by railroad. This village is 
situated on the Rahway River, near the line of the Morris 
and Essex Railroad. It contains about 1000 inhabitants, and 
200 dwellings, many of which are neatly constructed. 



NEW YORK CITY. 105 

Stapletox — 7 miles by steamboat, starting from the foot 
of Whiteliall-street. This place is delightfully situated on 
Staten Island, near the Quarantine Ground. Here is located 
the Sailors^ Retreat, a noble stone edifice, erected by the 
State of New York, for the accommodation and maintenance 
of sick and disabled seamen. 

TAPP.\i\ — 27 miles by steamboat and stage. This is an an- 
cient village, situated three miles west of the Hudson River. 
It was once the head-quarters of the American army, and is 
celebrated as the place where Major Andre was hung, Octo- 
ber 2d, 1780. The village and scenery in the vicinity now 
present a quiet and retired appearance, but little in accordance 
with the stirring events of the days of the Revolution. The 
house is still standing here in which Washington resided ; also, 
the building in which Major Andre was confined during his 
trial as a spy. 

Tarrytown — 27 miles by steamboat. This village is de- 
lightfully situated on the east bank of the Hudson, overlook- 
ing its wide expanse called " Tappan Bay." The ground 
here rises with a steep ascent from the margin of the river, 
affording an extensive and delightful view up and down its 
stream. Tarrytown now contains about 1000 inhabitants, 
independent of Beekmantown, which adjoins it on the north, 
and contains about 500 inhabitants, and the Irving Institute, 
a flourishing institution of learning. It was in this immediate 
vicinity that Major Andre was captured during the Revolu- 
tionary War, while watering his horse, he being on his re- 
turn from West Point. His captors were Van Wart, Paul- 
ding, and Williams, who rendered their names conspicuous 
by their firmness in retaining him as a prisoner, when tempted 
by a large reward if they would consent to let him pass into 
the British camp, on the island of New York. Nothing now 
designates the place where he was taken and examined, al- 
though the inhabitants of the village easily direct strangers 
to the spot. 

Adjoining the north part of the village of Tarrytown 



106 THE ENVIRONS OF 

commences the famous Sleepy Holloiv, in which Washing- 
ton Irving laid the scene of his entertaining legend bearing 
the above name. 

ToMPKiNsviLLE — 6 miles by steamboat, starting from the 
foot of Whitehall-street. This village is pleasantly situated 
on Staten Island, facing the Bay of New York and Quar- 
antine Ground. On the north, near the water, are situated 
three spacious hospitals attached to the Lazaretto. The 
building and grounds, which are enclosed, are finely situated 
on rising ground, and show to great advantage as you ap- 
proach from the city of New York. During warm weather 
a great number of vessels, from diiferent quarters of the globe, 
may here be seen riding at anchor at the Quarantine Ground, 
in front of the village. This is a place of great resort during 
pleasant weather ; commodious steamboats run almost hourly 
to and from the city of New York, affording a healthy and 
delightful excursion. The Pavilion, a public house on the 
brow of the hill, in the rear of the village, is usually thronged 
with visiters during warm weather, who here resort to enjoy 
the invigorating sea-air, and behold the panoramic view 
which is here presented, embracing the lovely waters of the 
Bay of New York, dotted with almost innumerable vessels 
of every description. 

Weehawken, N. J. — 4 miles via Hoboken Ferr}\ This is 
a romantic spot, where, from the eminence on the bank of 
the Hudson River, known as "Weehawken Hill," may at all 
times be seen as fine and varied a view as can well be im- 
agined. A short distance above the hill, near the water's 
edge, is the spot where General Alexander Hamilton fell in a 
duel with Colonel Aaron Burr, July 12, 1804. 

Westchester — 14 miles by steamboat or stage. The vil- 
lage of Westchester is situated at the head of navigation, on 
Westchester creek, about 2 miles from Long Island Sound. 
From the landing a steamboat runs daily to and from the 
city of New York. 

West Farms — 13 miles by railroad and stage. This vil- 



NEW YORK CITY. 107 

lage is situated at the head of navigation on the Bronx River 
3 miles from Long Island Sound. It is a thriving place 
where are located several extensive manufactories. 

White Plains — 26 miles by railroad. This is a pleasant 
village, situated about one mile east of the Bronx River, on a 
fine plain ; it is the seat of justice for the county of West- 
chester. It contains about 800 inhabitants, 120 dwelling- 
houses, a courthouse and jail, 4 churches, an academy, and 
a female boarding-school. 

WiLLiAMSBURGH, L. I. — 1 mile by ferry. This is an im- 
portant place, being situated on the East River, directly op- 
posite the city of New York, with which it is connected by 
three steam ferries. It contained, in 1845, 11,338 inhabit- 
ants, and is rapidly increasing in wealth and population. 
Here are located several extensive manufacturing establish- 
ments, and a large number of elegant dwellings have recently 
been erected, owned and occupied by persons doing business 
in the city of New York, who here find a desirable and quiet 
residence. A turnpike road extends from Williamsburgh to 
the village of Jamaica, and one to Flushing, communicating 
with other roads in the interior of Long Island. 

YoNKERs — 17 miles by steamboat. This village is delight- 
fully situated on the east bank of the Hudson River, where is 
a convenient steamboat landing. It contains about 600 in- 
habitants, and many neat dwellings. This place is a favor- 
ite resort for the citizens of New York, during warm weather, 
being within a convenient distance, both by land and water 
conveyance. 

YoRKVii.LE — 5 miles by railroad or omnibus. This place 
is situated on the Third Avenue, and on the line of the Har- 
lem Railroad. The Tunnel in this vicinity, constructed by 
the Harlem Railroad Company, and through which the cars 
pass with their accustomed velocity, is a work of much in- 
terest. It extends under an eminence called Prospect Hill, 
and is cut through a solid rock 844 feet in length, being 24 
feet wjde aiid 21 feet high in the centre. 



108 THE ENVIRONS OF 



BAYS, RIVERS, &c. 



In addition to the Atlantic Ocean on the south, and Long 
Island Sound on the east, the city of New York is surrounded 
hy a great number of navigable bays, harbors, rivers, and in- 
lets ; affording an easy water communication to the surround- 
ing country. 

The Lower Bay of New York, centrally 14 miles south 
of the city, is the largest and most important bay in the vi- 
cinity ; on the north, it communicates with the Bay of New 
York through " the Narrows ;" on the west, with the Rari- 
tan Bay, and on the east, with the Atlantic Ocean through 
Gedney^s and the Old Channel ; the former affording 24 
feet water over the bar, and the latter 21 feet at the lowest 
tides. The city of New York, and commerce at large, has 
been greatly benefited by the surveys under Captain Gedney, 
of the U. S. Navy, which resulted in discovering the above 
channel of 24 feet water, which is now known as the Gedney 
Channel. Armed vessels and merchantmen of the largest 
class, can now, at all times, be safely piloted into the Lower 
Bay, and thence to the wharves of the city. 

The Bay of New York, centrally 4 miles south of the 
city, has long been celebrated for its beauties ; surrounded as 
it is by cultivated and picturesque scenery. It is perfectly 
safe for shipping, being protected by the surrounding high 
lands ; it receives the Hudson River on the north, and com- 
municates with Long Island Sound through an arm of the 
sea called East River. It contains Governor's, Bedlow's, and 
Ellis's islands, and Robbins's Reef; on the latter is now erect- 
ing a new light-house. The Quarantine Ground is on the 
south, opposite Staten Island, where is usually to be seen, in 
warm weather, a great number of vessels lying at anchor, 
mostly from foreign ports, in pursuance of sanatary regulations, 
for preventing the diseases of foreign parts from infecting 
the commercial emporium. 



NEW YORK CITY. 109 

Raritan Bay, 20 miles south of New York, communicates 
with the lower Bay, and affords a safe anchorage. On the 
west, at the mouth of the Raritan River, lie Perth Amboy 
and South Amboy, on either side of the stream, which com- 
municates with Newark Bay, and the Bay of New York, 
through Staten Island Sound. 

Newark Bay is a large body of water, 7 miles west of 
New York ; on the north it receives the Passaic and Hack- 
ensack rivers, and communicates with the Bay of New 
York through " the Kills." 

Jamaica Bav, and Hempstead Bay, on the southeast of 
ti)e city, are both large bodies of water, admitting vessels of 
a small draft, and abounding with water-fowl, fish, clams, 
and oysters. 

South Bay, which commences at the New Inlet, 25 miles 
east of the city of New York, is a large and navigable body 
of water, extending from Hempstead Bay, in an easterly di- 
rection, a distance of about 70 miles, being in width from 2 
to 5 miles. Its waters abound with almost every variety of 
shell and scale fish, which can never be exhausted. Wild 
fowl of many kinds, are also found here in countless num- 
bers, affording a pleasant recreation to the sportsman, and a 
source of profitable employment to many hundreds of indi- 
viduals. 

Flushing Bay, Little Neck Bay, Cow Bay, Hempstead 
Harbor, and Oyster Bay Harbor, on the east of the city, 
on Long Island Sound, are all important bodies of water, af- 
fording good water communication between a number of 
villages and landings, and the city of New York. 

The Harbors, also, on Long Island Sound, on the north- 
west, to the Connecticut State-line, afford a number of good 
landings ; the waters abounding with water-fowl and fish of 
different descriptions. 

The Hudson River, sometimes called North River, which 
empties into the Bay of New York, and thence passes out 
through "the Narrows," to the broad Atlantic Ocean, is the 
10 



110 THE ENVIRONS OF 

just pride of the inhabitants of the city and slate of New 
York. This noble river was first discovered by Henry Huz>- 
soN in 1609, while in the employ of the Dutch East India 
Company. It is doubtful if any visions of futurity presented 
to his mind the present importance and celebrity of this beau- 
tiful river, bearing his own name, and which is thus enthu- 
siastically spoken of by Washington Irving : — 

*' I thank God I was born on the banks of the Hudson I — 
I think it an invaluable advantage to be born and brought up 
in the neighborhood of some grand and noble object in nature ; 
a river, a lake, or a mountain. We make a friendship with 
it. We in a manner ally ourselves to it for life. It remains 
an object of our pride and affections, a rallying point, to call 
us home again after all our wanderings. ' The things which 
we have learned in our childhood,' says an old writer, ' grow 
up with our souls, and unite themselves to it.' So it is with 
the scenes among which we have passed our early days ; 
they influence the whole course of our thoughts and feelings ; 
and 1 fancy I can trace much of what is good and pleasant 
in my own heterogeneous compound, to my early companion- 
ship with this glorious river. In the warmth of my youthful 
enthusiasm, I used to clothe it with moral attributes, and al- 
most to give it a soul. I admired its frank, bold, honest 
character ; its noble sincerity and perfect truth. Here was no 
specious, smiling surface, covering the dangerous sand-bar or 
perfidious rock ; but a stream deep as it was broad, and bear- 
ing v;ith honorable faith the bark that trusted to its waves. 
I gloried in its simple, quiet, majestic, epic flow ; ever straight- 
forward. Once, indeed, it turns aside for a moment, forced 
from its course by opposing mountains, but it struggles bravely 
through them, and immediately resumes its stra'ght-forward 
march. Behold, thought I, an emblem of a good man's 
course through life ; ever simple, open, and direct ; — or if, 
overpowered by adverse circumstances, he deviate into error, 
it is but momentary ; he soon recovers his onward and honor- 
able career, and continues it to the end of his pilo^rlmage." 



NEW YORK CITY. Ill 

The Hudson River is navigable for ships to the city of Hud- 
son, 130 miles from its mouth ; to Troy, 150 miles, for steam- 
boats of a large c'ass ; and to the village of Waterford, at 
the confluence of the Mohawk, about 160 miles from its 
mouth, for vessels of 70 or 80 tons ; vi'here navigation en- 
tirely ceases. 

East River, so called, is an arm of the sea, or a continua- 
tion of Long Island Sound, dividing the island of New York 
and a part of Westchester county from Long Island ; it com- 
municates with the Hudson River and Bay of New York, all 
of whose surplus watei-s flow into the Atlantic Ocean, through 
the " Narrows." It may be considered 15 miles in length, 
and is navigable for vessels of a large class. The celebrated 
pass called " Hell-Gate," is situated on this stream, opposite 
Great Barn Island, 7 miles from the city of New York. 

Harlem River, as it is commonly called, extends from the 
East River to the Hudson River, or Spuyten Duyvel Creek, 
the name singularly given to the western termination of this 
channel ; it divides the county of New York from Westchester 
county. Although navigable for small craft, it has several 
bridges built across it with draws, to admit vessels through. 
The Harlem Bridge, the Railroad Bridge, McGomb's Bridge, 
King's Bridge, and the Croton Aqueduct Bridge, all cross 
this stream, which is 8 or 10 miles in length. 

The Bronx and Saw Mill rivers rise in W^estchester coun- 
ty, and are inconsiderable streams ; affording, however, some 
good mill-sites ; the one empties into the Hudson River at 
Yonkers, the other, into the East River, or Long Island 
Sound, opposite Flushing Bay. 

The Hackensack River rises in Rockland county, N. Y., 
and runs through Bergen county, N. J., nearly parallel with 
the Hudson River, about 4 miles to the west. It is navigable 
for sloops, about 18 miles from its mouth, where it empties in- 
to Newark Bay. 

Tlie Passaic River rises in Morris county, N. J., and runs 
in a circuitous course to its mouth, wlaere it empties into 



112 ENVIRONS OF NEW YORK CITY. 

Newark Bay. It is navigable for sloops to Acquackanonck, 
a distance of about 12 miles. Tlie Great and Little Falls 
of the Passaic are both worthy of a visit. The Great Falls 
at Paterson may be considered the greatest natural curiosity 
in the vicinity of thirty miles of the city of New York. 

Rahway River rises in Essex county, N. J., and empties 
into Staten Island Sound 4 miles below the village of Rah- 
way, to which place it is navigable for sloops. 

The Raritan River empties into Raritan Bay, at the city 
of Perth Amboy, 14 miles below the city of New Brunswick, 
to which it is navigable for sloops and steamboats. 

Shrewsbury River rises in Monmouth county, N. J., and 
empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Old Shrewsbury Inlet, 
near Sandy Hook ; it is navigable to Red Bank, a distance 
of about 6 miles. 







V i ^ ' 



r> < 



^ JIEW-YOBK 



'^Iffif: 



xviiii llieUm- ofTUr (VilKin AqutHlllit 



BOATS ON HUDSON RIVER. 113 

PASSAGE BOATS RUNNING ON HUDSON RIVER, 

FROM NEW YORK TO ALBANY AND TROY, 150 Milkb 
DAY LINE. 
Steamboat Troy, 724 tons, Capt. A. Gorhoni. 

Niagara, 730 tons, Capt. H. L. Kellogg. 

NIGHT THROUGH-LINE. 
Steamboat Empire, 927 tons, Capt. R. B. Macy. 

" Columbia, 400 tons, Capt. Wm. W, Tupper. 

FROM NEW YORK TO ALBANY, 145 Miles. 

people's line. 
Leaving JVew York and Albany at 6 o'clock, P. M. 
Steamboat Hendrik Hudson, 1170 tons, Capt. R. G. Cruttenden. 
" Isaac Newton, 1250 tons, Capt. Wm. H. Peck. 

Leaving J^ew York and Jllbany at 5 o'clock, P. M. Landing at the 
principal places on the River. 
Steamboat North America, Capt. R. H. Fnry 
" South America, Capt. T. N. Hulse. 



INDEPENDENT LINES. 

Steamboat Alida, (day boat) Capt. George O. Tupper. 

" Metamora, " " T. S. Knight. 

" Roger Williams, " " De Groat. 

" Rip Van Winkle, (night boat) " George B. Riggs. 

" New Jersey, " " A. Hitchcock. 

From New York to Hudson, IIR miles. 
St'mboat Fairfield, Capt. J. Beebe. — Hudson, Capt. Wm. H. Mellen. 
From New York to C.\tskill, 110 miles. 
Steamboat Utica, Capt. Geo. Penfield. 

From New York to Saugerties, 100 miles. 
Steamboat Robert L. Stevens, Capt. R. L. Maybe. 
From New York to Rondout, 90 miles. 
Steamboat Emerald, Capt. J. Samuels. — Telegraph, Capt. Asa 

Eaton. — Norwich, Capt. . 

From New York to Poughkeepsie, 74 miles. 
Steamboat Santa Claus, Capt. Benj. Overbagh. 

From New York to Newburgh, 60 miles. 
Steamboat Highlander, Capt. Armstrong. — Thomas Powbll, 
Capt. S. Johnson.— Caledonia, Capt. Wardrop. 
From New York to Dobb's Ferry, Sing Sing, &c. 
Steamboat Zephyr, Capt. E. B. Wells. 

From New York to Nyack and Tarrytown. 
Steamboat Arrow, Capt. J. P. Smith. 



114 



STEAMBOAT AND STAGE ROUTES. 



TABLE OF DISTANCES 
BETWEEN NEW YORK AND ALBANY. 



Distances between New-York 
and Albany, on the east side ol 
Hudson river, by mail roiiic 



NAMES. 



New- York, 

King's Bridge, • •• 

Yonker's, 

Dobh's Ferry, 

Tarrytown, 

Sing-Sing, 

Croton River, 

Pecksiiill. 

Phillipsbursh, • •• 

Fishkill, 

Poughkeepsie, • •• 

HydePirk, 

Rhiiiebeck, 

Redhook, Lower,- 
Redhook, Upper.- 

Clermont, 

Blue Store, 

HunsoN, 

Stuyvesant Falls, 

Kinderhook, 

Schodack Centre, 

Greenhush, 

Alhanv, 



Distances between 
and Albany. on the 
Hudson river, via. 

New-York, 

Pif^rmont, by s. b.- 
Rsmapo. by r. r. 
Monroe Works, do 
Turners' Depot, do 
Newbctrgh, stage, 
Marll)orough, tio 
Milton do 

New Paltz, do 
Esopus, do 

Rondout, do 

Kingston, do 

Glasco. do 



Saugerties, stase. 

M.ilden, do 

Catskill, do 

Aihens, do 

Cox^ackie, do 
N. Baltimore, do 

I'oeymaus, do 

Albany, do 

Distances of places 
son river, Ironi 
New-York. 

Vew-York, 

Full's Ferry, N. J 
Manhatlanville,-- 
Fort Lee, N J.--- 
Spuyten Duyvel c. 

Yonkers, 

Hast nss, 

Dobb's Ferry, -• - 

Piermont, 

Tarrytown, 

Sing-Si tig, 

Verplank's Point," 
Caldwe I's Landing 

West Pointy .' 

Cold Spring, 

Cornwall, 

Newhvrgh, 

New-Hamburgh,- • 

Milton, "•--•• 

Poughkeepsie, - • • - 

Hyde Park, 

Pelham, 

Rhinehtck, 

Redhook, Lower, 
Rpdhook, Vjiper,-- 

Saugerties, 

Brtxtnl., or Maiden 

Calskill, 

Hudson, 

Coxnckie, 

Kinderhook Land. 
New-Baltimore, •• 

Copy mans, 

Castleton, 

Overslaugh, 

Alpanv, 

Troy. 



3 


121 


3 


lw4 


9 


133 


6 


lo9 


8 


147 


6 


163' 


2 


165 


12 


1G7 



on the Hud- 
Alka>¥ and 



145 
139 
137 
136 
132 
123 
125 
1:>3 
121 
US 
112 
105 
101 
93 
91 
88 
84 
73 
75 
71 
66 
61 
65 
48 
45 
44 
43 
34 
29 
21 
18 
14 
12 
8 
3 










6 


6 


2 


s 


2 


10 


3 


13 


4 


17 


3 


20 


2 


22 


2 


24 


3 


27 


t 


33 


7 


40 


4 


44 


8 


6-2 


2 


64 


3 


67 


4 


61 


6 


67 


3 


70 


4 


7 


6 


80 


4 


84 


6 


90 


7 


97 


3 


100 


1 


101 


1 


102 


9 


111 


6 


116 


8 


12 


3 


1'7 


4 


131 


2 


133 


4 


137 


5 


14-2 


3 


145 


6 


161 



NoTi. — Places in Italicy are the usual Steamboat Landing* 



TO TRAVELLERS AND EMIGRANTS. 



J. DISTURNELL, 

DEALER IN 

MAPS, GUIDE BOORS, STATISTICAL WORKS, &c. &c. 

No, 102 Broad'way, 

BETWEEN PINE AND WALL STREETS, 

NEW YORK, 

Keeps a full assortment of the above articles, together with 
a collection of Engravings, illustrative of American Scene- 
ry — all of which will be sold on reasonable terms, at whole- 
sale or retail. 



Citizens and Strangers are invited to call and examine 
his assortment of Maps, Guide Books, &c., before leaving 
the city on excursions of pleasure, or travels for health or 
business, as they can be furnished with publications relating 
to every section of the United States, Canada, Texas, Mex- 
ico, Guatemala, the West Indies, South America, Europe, 
Asia, and Africa — embracing every part of the world. 

O" Schools and Libraries supplied with Maps and Sta- 
tistical Works. 



N. B— The PICTURESQUE TOURIST, being a 
Guide through the Northern and Eastern States, and 
Canada, together with other publications of J. D.'s, useful to 
travellers, can he obtained at most of the Bookstores in the 
United States and Canada. 

New York, Jan, 1847. 



STATISTICAL & GEOGRAPHICAL WORKS. 



No. 102 Broadway, New ITork, 

HAS RECENTLY PUBLISHED, 

1. — A New Township Map of the State of New York showingj 
the boundaries of Counties and Townships ; the location of 
Cities and Villages, &c. By J. Calvin Smith. Engraved on 

steel. Price, (pocket form,) ^75 

Do., on rollers 1 50 

2. — Gazetteer of the State of New York : comprisins: its Topog- 
raphy. Geology, Mineralogicp.l Resources, Civil Divisions, Ca- 
nals, Railroads, and Public Institutions, together with General 
Statistics. Accompanied by a new Township Map of the State. 
Price $2 00 

3. — The New York State Guide : containing an Alphabetical List 
of Counties, Towns, Cities, Villages, Post-offices, &c., with the 
Census of 1840. Price, with State Map, $1 00 

4. — The New York Political Manual : containing the Official 
Election Returns for I840-'44, and the Census of 1840 ; together 
with other useful information. Price $0 *25 

5. — The New York State Register for 1845. Edited by O. L. 
HoUey. Price $150 

6,— The Northern Traveller : containing the Hudson River 
Guide, and Tour to the Springs, Lake George, and Canada, pass- 
ing through Lake Champlain. Price $0 50 

7.— The Western Traveller : embracing the Canal and Railroad 
Routes, from Albany and Troy to Buffalo and Niagara Falls. 
Also, the Steamboat Route from Buffalo to Detroit and Chicago. 
Price $0 50 

8.— The Picturesque Tourist : being a Guide through the North- 
ern and Eastern States, and Canada. Edited by O. L. Hoi ley 
With Maps and Illustrations. Price $1 50 

9.— Panorama of the Hudson River : drawn from nature, and en- 
graved by Wm. Wade. Price, colored, $2 00 

10.— Railroad and Steamboat Book ; being a Guide between Wash- 
ington, New York, Boston, &c. Price $0 25 

11.— A New Guide through the Middle, Northern, and Eastern 
States, with Map $0 50 

15.— New York City Guide ; containing a Description of the City of 
New York and Environs $0 50 

H 155 78*^ 




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